June 20, 2003	Friday	Rabi-us-Sani 19, 1424

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SARGODHA, June 19: Law and order will be maintained at all costs and culprits not shown leniency no matter how influential they might be.

Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi made this statement while talking to newsmen after Quran Khwani for the mother of MNA Chaudhry Ghias Ahmad Mela at Mela some 65km from here. Federal Minister for Agriculture and Overseas Pakistanis Abdul Sattar Lalika, many MNAs and MPAs and Maj-Gen Ahmed Nawaz Saleem were among those present on the occasion.

The chief minister said that the Punjab government was determined to ensure protection of life and property of people and had issued directions to law-enforcement agencies in this regard.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Lalika said the opposition had set an undemocratic precedent by challenging a ruling of the speaker of National Assembly, which had “attained finality”. He said that it was a universally accepted norm that a ruling of the speaker could not be challenged. The government would not bow to such undemocratic pressure tactics, he maintained.

The federal minister said that if the opposition made a no-confidence move against the speaker, seasoned parliamentarians from its ranks would support the government, as the move was against parliamentary norms. He was confident that if the opposition committed the mistake of tabling a no-confidence motion, it would face a crushing defeat.

He said Malaysia had allowed recruitment of Pakistani skilled workers after 11 years while Kuwait had opened its doors after seven years, and this was all due to successful policies of the president which were being implemented and followed by the prime minister.

Mr Lalika said that after about three decades, the issue of water had been resolved amicably and work initiated on six big canals and nine dams, which would help overcome shortage of water.

Responding to another question, the federal minister said that the issue of Kalabagh would be resolved with consensus, However, he stressed the need for developing national cohesion and unity.

He also invited the opposition to participate in parliamentary activities instead of sabotaging them, which according to him, was against national interests. He also said that the treasury would welcome constructive suggestions from the opposition without any prejudice.