RAWALPINDI, Dec 19: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali has said that talks with the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal over the Legal Framework Order are continuing and the issue would be settled soon.

Speaking to reporters after the 4th convocation of the University of Arid Agriculture here on Friday, the prime minister said he was optimistic about the early resolution of the issue.

“In this country everything is settled through dialogue,” he observed and added that most of the contentious points had already been settled.

In reply to a question about the anti-government statements of the MMA leaders, he said: “I can’t say much except that there might be a slip of the tongue.”

The prime minister said a session of the National Assembly would be convened soon.

Asked about the opposition’s charge that the government was following US policies on critical issues, he said it would be better if the opposition was asked about it, they must be knowing better.

Earlier, speaking at the convocation Mr Jamali called for development of a culture of endurance, patience, tolerance, nationhood and that of supremacy of law.

He said universities could contribute to the society by helping the country develop such a culture.

Calling for re-defining the role and purpose of universities in the country, he said it was unfortunate that there was only a little distinction between a college and a university here. In our country, a university was only a seat of higher learning, but in the West from where we had imported most of the education concepts, universities were bases of research.

About the interest being shown by foreign investors in the agricultural field, Mr Jamali said: “We have received a number of applications from abroad in which the investors have shown willingness to exploit the agricultural treasures of Pakistan. They want to invest in projects for their better and more productive utilization. I see in this development many opportunities for the agriculture graduates.”

On the issue of developments on the economic front, the prime minister said: “Our growth rate performance during the outgoing year was 5.1 per cent, which is a positive sign in economic growth despite many global and domestic issues.”

He said: “Investors confidence in the policies of our government is highly impressive and we expect to achieve an economic growth of 5.6 per cent during the coming fiscal year.”

Mr Jamali urged the university to specially address the issues of water shortage, soil testing, soil conservation, marketing and livestock development.

He also announced a donation of Rs50 million for the University of Arid Agriculture on the occasion.

Chancellor of the university Lt-Gen Khalid Maqbool (retired) also spoke on the occasion.