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LAHORE: The government intended to move a resolution in the Punjab Assembly for the bifurcation of Punjab, the prime minister said here on Saturday. He also came up with a claim that Nawaz Sharif was in favour of making southern Punjab a separate province.
“Today I inform you that PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif too is in favour of south Punjab province. He favoured it at a rally in Dera Ghazi Khan recently,” Yousuf Raza Gilani said while talking to journalists on the sidelines of the inauguration of a satellite station at Kala Shah Kaku.
In reply to a question whether the People’s Party’s decision to bifurcate its set-up in Punjab signalled a determination to go ahead with the carving out of a Seraiki-based province, Mr Gilani clarified that splitting the PPP structure was merely aimed at improving efficiency.
“As Punjab is the largest province of the country, the PPP leadership decided to divide its provincial management into two parts to ensure an effective mobilisation and management of the party affairs and workers,” he said.
Ties with India Mr Gilani said the government would not compromise on the Kashmir issue as it lay at the heart of the PPP’s ideology.
“Now we will do trade as well as resolve all core issues, including Kashmir, with India,” he said, adding that Pakistan wanted good relations with India and the latter had the same desire.
Talking about Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan’s warning to the government at the rally in Lahore last week about a civil disobedience movement against the government if all politicians did not declare their assets, Mr Gilani said he and other leaders of his party had already declared their assets.
“The PPP is not afraid of the PTI’s recent rally in Lahore. Before this Imran Khan had held a rally in Multan but it didn’t get coverage. This rally got a good media coverage, exposing the public annoyance with a certain political party,” the premier said. He said it was significant that leaders of the PML-N had started declaring their assets after Imran Khan’s rally.
About threats by certain parties to launch a movement for toppling the government, Mr Gilani said: “We are ready for it and believe that such tactics cannot remove our government.”
In reply to a question whether Hillary Clinton was annoyed with the government, he advised journalists to put this question to the US secretary of state herself.
He said the recent change in US policy on drone attacks had proved that the government had not given any permission to Washington to do so. Mr Gilani said the government would outline its “vision-2013” programme soon.
Agencies add: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said the PAKSAT-1R satellite project was another manifestation of the strategic relationship between Pakistan and China, expressing a hope that the project would lift the exemplary ties to new heights. He said it was gratifying to learn that PAKSAT-1R had reached its orbit and that all sub-systems were functioning well.
At inauguration of Satellite Ground Control Station & Commencement of PAKSAT-1R Communication Services here, he expressed pleasure that PAKSAT 1R has reached its intended orbit and all subsystems are functioning perfectly well.
“The presence of Chinese dignitaries at the ceremony was indicative of China’s commitment to Pakistan’s space programme,” Mr Gilani observed.
Application of space technology was contributing significantly to socio-economic development, he noted.
“Access to and adoption of these technologies is important for developing countries like Pakistan. It was with this realisation in mind that I approved the ‘space vision-2040’ earlier this year.”
The successful launching and commissioning of PAKSAT-1R marked the first significant step towards realising the vision, Mr Gilani said.
He said communication satellites were playing a vital role across the world in bridging the divide between backward and remote areas in the fields of health, education, entertainment and communications.
PAKSAT-1R would help extend the communication infrastructure to the entire country, bringing the fruit of socio-economic development to the country’s remotest corners, he said.
