December 09, 2006	Saturday	Ziqa'ad 17, 1427

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BAHAWALPUR, Dec 8: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi has said that the government during the past four years has been working on three-point agenda - elimination of revenge from politics, direct legislation by assembly instead of relying on ordinances, and good governance.

He was speaking at the inaugural session of a three-day national jurists’ conference under the auspices of Lahore High Court Bar Association, Bahawalpur bench, which began here on Friday night.

The chief minister underlined the need of supremacy of law.

Mr Elahi said the government stood for upholding the rule of law and speedy justice.

He said the government had strengthened the bar bodies without any prejudice and irrespective of their political affiliations.

He said his administration had initiated about 1,000 schemes, including Bahawalpur lawyers’ colony, aimed at the welfare of lawyers’ community.

He expressed the hope that the new entrants to the legal profession would benefit from the conference. He assured the audience that the government would give weight to the conference’s recommendation on dispensation of justice.

The chief minister announced a grant of Rs5 million for the high court bar.

Law Minister Raja Basharat said upgrading of existing laws was under process. The Punjab assembly had done a record legislation and the bills tabled during the last four years had been passed with consensus.

He said the new laws enacted by the Punjab Assembly, when implemented, would bring a healthy change in society.

He said the government believed in the rule of law and prosecution service has been launched for the first time in Pakistan so that the criminals should not go unpunished.

Earlier, Punjab AG Aftab Iqbal Chaudhry read his paper on “Speedy and fair justice” and bar president Malik Saeed Ijaz presented welcome address.

More than 20 jurists and scholars will read their papers during the conference which will continue till Sunday. Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry is expected to be the chief guest on the concluding day.

CONVOCATION: Later, at the convocation of Quaid-i-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur, the chief minister said the health sector was on top priority of the government.

He said the budget of health sector had been increased from Rs9 billion to Rs19 billion. It would be raised further in next budget.

He counted reforms his government introduced in the health sector. He announced that a new complex of Rahim Yar Khan Medical College would be constructed.

On the demand of principal Syed Ajwad Shah, Mr Elahi announced the establishment of Institute of Neurological Sciences at the Bahawal Victoria Hospital. It would be the first institute in the country.

Graduates of past 10 years - from 1995 to 2005 - were awarded degrees, while 67 distinction holders were given medals. Former captain of national hockey team, Dr Atif Bashir, was awarded a gold medal in recognition of his service to the country. He led Pakistan in the 1998 Sydney Olympics.