NAUDERO, Dec 26: The Pakistan People’s Party reiterated on Sunday that it would continue to pursue its policy of reconciliation in line with the vision of its slain chairperson Benazir Bhutto. Briefing journalists after a meeting of the party’s central executive committee presided over by President Asif Zardari at the camp office of the president here, Law Minister Babar Awan said a briefing on investigation into the assassination of Ms Bhutto had been deferred because PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari could not make it to the meeting.

He said the PPP committee had vowed to bring to justice the killers of Ms Bhutto.

The minister said it was essential to hold consultations with all allies in order to strengthen democracy.

He said the CEC had decided to respect the mandate of all parties, whether in the opposition or with the ruling coalition.

He said a reshuffle of the cabinet would take place next year after an assessment of the performance of ministers by the president.

Mr Awan said 2011 would be the year of party re-organisation and some changes had already been made in Punjab. Replying to a question, he said the PPP was ready for local bodies’ elections.

He said the president, who is co-chairman of the party, had asked party leaders not to issue statements against leaders of other parties.

He said the federal and provincial governments were working well because of the policy of reconciliation and would complete their tenure.

Mr Awan said that like in Pakistan, the policy of reconciliation was also being pursued in India and the United Kingdom. Ms Bhutto had enunciated the policy and her vision in her book.

The law minister said the leader of opposition in the National Assembly had been appointed the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee for the first time in the history of the country in line with the reconciliation policy.

He evaded question about Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam’s decision to quit the coalition and possibility of its rejoining the government.

Agencies add: The CEC approved to expand the ambit of the investigation into Ms Bhutto’s assassination and decided to hold another meeting on the issue.

It reposed confidence in the leadership of President Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and assigned Mr Gilani the task of persuading JUI chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to rejoin the coalition.

It was decided that the report on investigation into the assassination would be approved at a meeting to be attended by Bilawal Bhutto.

President Zardari will decide the date of the meeting in consultation with other party leaders.

Addressing the meeting, President Zardari asked the ministers to focus their attention on solving people’s problems and creating employment opportunities.

He said he was aware of the problems of poverty, unemployment and inflation and the government would try to solve them as soon as possible.

He urged PPP leaders to prepare for local government elections next year.

The law minister said a large public meeting would be held on Monday to pay homage to Ms Bhutto.

Replying to a question, Mr Awan said the Muttahida Qaumi Movement had left the matter of its reservations to the president, “who is a fatherly figure for all”.