07 July 2004	Wednesday	18 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

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KARACHI, July 6: Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain on Tuesday said that his government was doing its best to wipe out the sense of deprivation from the country and added that the same policy would be continued later during the premiership of Shaukat Aziz.

"People have been exploiting the issue of sense of deprivation and we will take all steps to resolve this matter," he announced while addressing a big gathering at Baradari of Bagh Quaid-i-Azam at a reception hosted by Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim.

The prime minister said that the Almighty had provided him an opportunity to serve people and he would spare no effort to come up to their expectations. He said the government would introduce policies to wipe out the sense of deprivation so that the opponents of the government may not find an opportunity to exploit this issue.

"You will not find any contradiction in what we say and act," he declared. Chaudhry Shujaat said the government would make only such promises which it could fulfil. He announced that as the prime minister he would keep everything open before people and would ensure that whatever promises he would make were redeemed in letter and in spirit.

He said he was thankful to President Pervez Musharraf for the confidence he reposed in him. He said when Mr Aziz became the prime minister he (the latter) would carry forward the policies which would be in the best interest of people.

Referring to the situation created in the Senate on Monday, he said Mr Aziz had filed his nomination papers from Attock today and he would file the papers from Tharparkar on Wednesday. Thereafter, he added, his opponents would not find a single allegation to level against him.

"Time has come that lies will have to be exposed and the present government will bring an end to the allegation culture." The premier announced that a policy would be evolved against the culture of levelling allegations and making insinuations under which those levelling charges would be penalized.

Contradicting a report in a section of the press, he said he was not against the freedom of the press. Chaudhry Shujaat declared that Karachi would again be made the city of lights and its past glories would be restored.

"Sindh is the citadel of peace and tranquillity, and no effort will be spared for its progress and prosperity," he said. He appealed to the people to pray for the success of the government.

Addressing the reception, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan referred to the peaceful transfer of power at the centre and said that keeping the political scenario in view, long-lasting and best traditions had been set in this regard.

Earlier on his arrival from Islamabad at the Karachi airport on a three-day visit to Sindh, the prime minister told newsmen that the law and order situation in the city had improved and would be further improved with mutual consultations.

In reply to a question about the by-elections, he said everybody had the right to contest the election and added that the by-polls would be held in a free and fair manner. About the test-fire of Agni missile by India, he said they (India) had the right to conduct a test, adding that it is was not a matter of concern for Pakistan as it also conducted its missile tests.

Referring to a briefing on the Wana operation held earlier in the day, the prime minister said it was a very useful meeting with the leaders of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal. He said that registration of foreigners would be carried out and all out efforts would be made for elimination of sectarian hatred. -APP