HYDERABAD, Dec 29: The central chairman, Tehrik-i-Istaqlal (TI), Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, has said that issues like the Legal Framework Order (LFO), National Security Council, and the election of President Pervez Musharraf should be discussed on the floor of the house.
He said this while addressing a press conference at the residence of Rahmat Khan Wardag, president of the TI, in Latifabad on Sunday.
He, however, said that the sanctity of the Parliament should be upheld, and added that judges of high courts and the Supreme Court should also take oath under the 1973 Constitution so that it could be fully restored.
He said that the government should take such measures which prove to be a positive indicator for the industries, agriculture, and trade, and added that it would result in jobs being provided to people living below the poverty line.
He said that 33 per cent of the total population of Pakistan was living below the poverty line.
Pointing out the gulf between haves and have-nots, Mr Qaiser said that the government must take steps in the right direction to further improve the economic conditions of the country.
He severely criticized the arrests of Dr Amir Aziz, Dr Omer Khwaja and Dr Javed Ahmed Khwaja, saying it had damaged the government’s credibility.
He said that the country’s own institutions should have been taken into confidence whenever such action was required to be taken.
Referring to the 12-paisa deduction in the electricity tariff, Mr Qaiser said that flat-rate system should be introduced to facilitate the people and increase agricultural growth so that 60 to 70 per cent people could be employed.
He urged the government to introduce growth-oriented policies so that the size of the economy could be increased.
He opposed any interference from the centre in the affairs of the provincial governments saying that they should be allowed to work freely and independently.
He said that the government should also announce subsidy on ghee, pulses, and other items without considering the deficit of the budget.
He called for maximum relief being provided to the people who were facing difficulties under the price hike.
Stressing the need for increasing the rate of exports, Mr Qaiser said that so far it was not encouraging.
He claimed that in the villages only feudal lords could get themselves elected and no ordinary citizen could ever think of coming to power in the assemblies.
He told newsmen that the government had been facing a tough time from terrorists with the result that not only investors but even sportsmen were reluctant to visit Pakistan.
He stated that the TI believed that the economy of the country had shown improvement to some extent in the last three years, yet there was a huge potential for improvement.
He observed that foreign exchange reserves had also increased but the common man had yet to avail the fruits of foreign exchange reserves.
