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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday said the government was seriously considering to hold local bodies elections in the federal capital, and after the elections Islamabad will have a city Mayor.
“There should be Mayor of Islamabad like in New Delhi, Dhaka and various other capitals of the world,” Gilani said in an interaction with media here at the PM House.
The prime minister said in this respect he has already taken President Asif Ali Zardari into confidence and would also consult other political parties.
“Bureaucracy is my darling,” the prime minister remarked when asked as if the bureaucracy can oppose this idea.
About Seraiki province, Gilani said, with PPP, PML-Q, MQM, ANP, parliamentarians from FATA and independents as well as people within the PML-N supportive of the Seraiki province, we are close to build absolute consensus on this issue.
To a question, the prime minister those who were making hue and cry over the proposed capital of Seraiki province were not serious in the creation of the province and were playing only as spoilers.
“The people of Bahawalpur are with us. My elder son was elected unopposed as MPA from Bahawalpur and my maternal family also belonged to Rahim Yar Khan,” he stressed.
To a question about the size of federal cabinet, the prime minister said after the 18th Constitutional Amendment the size of cabinet should be 11 per cent of the total members of both houses of the parliament, adding, but it would be applicable after the next general elections.
About tragic incident in Gayari sector of Siachen, the prime minister brushed aside all speculations and said it was a disaster, adding, “Our country's defence is in safe hands.”
Gilani said issues of Siachen, Sir Creek and Kashmir are included in the composite dialogue process between Pakistan and India, adding, Siachen issue has been discussed between the two countries at defence secretary level.
About the next budget, the prime minister said that he has directed the ministry of finance to give first priority to energy issue with focus on addressing the electricity shortage, create 100,000 jobs for unemployed youth and provide relief to common man and farmers through various programmes and schemes.
About the issue of Nato supply, Gilani said, Pakistan wanted to have excellent relationship with the United States on the basis on mutual respect, adding, we also want good relations with other Nato countries.
The prime minister, however, maintained that any decision in this respect would be taken with the nod of parliament and within the ambit of the recommendations of the parliament.
