MULTAN: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani promised on Sunday that the creation of a Seraiki province would be made part of the PPP's manifesto for next elections.
Addressing a public gathering in Jalalpur Pirwala, he said PPP's election manifesto would also suggest setting up of more provinces besides the one for Seraiki people.Mr Gilani said he had become the prime minister on the strength of people's support and added that the government would complete its five-year tenure.
Mr Gilani said when he assumed the charge as prime minister the country was facing multiple challenges such as terrorism, sectarianism, lawlessness and price hike. The government, he added, was trying its best to implement the PPP's 36-point agenda to address these and other issues and had achieved the target on 21 points.
Talking to journalists at the Bahauddin Zakariya University, the prime minister said that his party respected the mandate of other parties and was pursuing a policy of reconciliation.
In reply to a question about targeted killings in Karachi, he said there was a need for a joint line of action to tackle the problem, adding that he had directed the law-enforcement agencies to control the situation.
He refused to comment on the controversy about the re-appointment of FIA director-general, saying the matter was sub judice.
About the issue of Raymond Davis, he said no one was more patriot than the PPP and the government would not take any step that undermined the dignity and honour of the country. APP adds: Mr Gilani said that the government respected the judiciary and other institutions and “we will safeguard the rights of all institutions and defend the rights of parliament”.
He said: “We have neither interfered in the jurisdiction of others nor will we allow others to interfere in our affairs.”
The prime minister announced that the support price of agricultural produce would be raised to ensure due return to growers.
He said that Benazir Bhutto had always extended help to growers and it was her vision that had served as the inspiration for the government to adopt a grower-friendly policy which ensured good returns to growers in accordance with the international market.
He said it was the PPP government that had raised the support price of crops. He reiterated his government's resolve to safeguard the rights of growers to bring about a boom in the agriculture sector.
Mr Gilani said that a countrywide poverty survey was in progress under the Benazir Income Support Programme and those identified as poor would be provided health insurance and life insurance facilities.
He said a list of the families unable to pay gas and electricity bills was also being prepared so that they could also be provided relief.
He said that popularity of a ruling party could be judged through
bye-elections, adding that Jamshed Ahmad Khan Dasti won the bye-election in Muzaffargarh, Begum Amir Yar Waran was declared successful in Bahawalpur bye-poll while other PPP candidates also won in bye-polls in Gujranwala, Vehari and Sargodha.
“How can they say that we lack people's support,” he asked.
“I will sit on the opposition benches the day I lose the support of elected representatives,” Mr Gilani said, adding that even then he would continue to serve the people.
Dear visitor, the comments section is undergoing an overhaul and will return soon.