Provincial Autonomy to be Ensured: PM Shujaat
Pakistan Times Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Ch. Shujat Hussain assured the Senate on Monday that he would ensure that the constitutional provisions are upheld and fully implemented in letter and spirit.

Speaking here in the House on his maiden visit to the House after assuming the office of the Prime Minister he said provincial autonomy would be ensured.

Commenting on the ongoing discussion in the House about the issue of provincial autonomy, he said he would try his level best to fulfill all his obligations and perform his duties in a just manner.

He said it was his desire that the members support him and Senator Shaukat Aziz in becoming the next prime minister of the country.

Responds to Objections

However, on objections by Senator Safdar Abassi that Shaukat Aziz was a US citizen and could not assume the post of prime minister, he said every parliamentarian whether he belongs to the Upper House or Lower were citizens of Pakistan and their only address was Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

He said any one who has any objection should file it with the Election Commission.

The Deputy Chairman on objections by the opposition that Shaukat Aziz was not a Pakistani said “any person born in Pakistan whether he lives abroad for twenty years remains a Pakistani.”

Earlier, when the prime minister entered the House the treasury benches greeted him with thumping of desks.

The Deputy Chairman welcomed the Prime Minister into the house and said he has assured that he would ensure that the presence of treasury members is improved. Shujaat Hussain thanked the house for the warm welcome.●