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KARACHI: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has rubbished speculations about a change of government by unconstitutional means or formation of a national government and said people would not accept any extra-constitutional or quasi-parliamentary step to unsettle the democratic dispensation because they did not want a repetition of the politics of the 80s and 90s.
Talking to reporters after inaugurating the Expo Pakistan at the Governor’s House, he called upon political leaders to demonstrate maturity and rise above narrow interests.
His remarks were seen as a response to PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif’s hard-hitting statements against PPP leaders.
The prime minister said the government was strong and stable and by-elections would be held for vacant seats if the opposition resigned from the assemblies. He said talks with US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton would be held on the basis of sovereign equality and trade with India would be developed keeping in view the national interest.
Regarding his meeting with a delegation of the MQM on Wednesday, he said Muttahida was a reality and its mandate should be respected. He welcomed MQM chief Altaf Hussain’s statement in support of his government and for efforts to maintain law and order in Karachi.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Expo Pakistan, the prime minister welcomed what he described as the milestone of $25 billion exports this year. He said it had been made possible with the combined efforts of the public and private sectors.
Referring to the difficulties being faced by the business community because of energy shortage, he said the government was trying to solve the problems and facilitate business.
He said the Diamer-Bhasha Dam would not only generate 4,500 megawatts of electricity but also help control floods and provide water for irrigation.
He said most observers agreed that gaps between the Western and the Asian economies were shrinking to the advantage of Asia.
“In particular, our neighbors, especially China, are seen as the engines of growth for the world economy in the coming decades,” he said.
Mr Gilani acknowledged that the economic growth rate in the country was not at a desirable level because of multiple problems.
