New govt in Pakistan to continue dialogue with India
'Pakistan Times' Diplomatic Desk

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said his government will continue dialogue process with India on the basis of equality and mutual respect to maintain relations as good neighbours.

“We will hold dialogue with India on the basis of equality, mutual respect and honour for living as good neighbouring nations,” Gilani said in an interview published in a national daily and also televised later.

Gilani said improvement in relations between the two neighbouring South Asian countries dated back to the government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, whereas significant progress was also achieved during the times of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif.

On Kashmir, the Prime Minister said the core issue must be resolved in accordance with the UN resolutions and in line with the aspirations of Kashmiris.

He recalled the visit of Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpai to Pakistan in 1999 during Nawaz Sharif government, who signed a declaration for the resolution of Kashmir issue through peaceful means.

The Prime Minister said a sovereign parliament, ensures that every one acts in accordance with the role laid down in the Constitution.

“Any ‘interference’ in the smooth working of an institution would be detrimental to the system and other institutions,” Gilani maintained.

He hoped that the president would address the joint sitting of the new parliament.

The elected coalition government, Gilani said, has exemplary working relations with the armed forces, adding the country’s defence is impregnable.

“We are proud of our armed forces,” Prime Minister Gilani said.

When asked about the demand by some political parties for impeachment of President Pervez Musharraf, Gilani said “On impeachment of the president, we should not act in haste but consult other coalition partners.”

He said the government would take decisions on such matters after consulting its allies as each coalition partner has its own programme and priorities.
“The president has his own constitutional powers and obligations as enshrined in the Constitution.”

On restoration of judges, the Prime Minister said the people of Pakistan would soon hear the “good news” in this context.

He said restoration of the judges or independent judiciary are the issues for which the PPP has struggled as much as any other party or community, played a “lead role” and gave sacrifices.

He commended Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan for leading the campaign and proudly claimed that Ahsan belonged to the PPP.

“Public meetings at the Constitutional Avenue, in Rawalpindi, Karachi and other cities were held by the PPP and its leaders rose to the occasion,” Gilani said.

On price-hike and flour shortage, the Prime Minister said the situation would have been different today had the support price of wheat been increased last September.

When asked about power shortage in the country, particularly his home city Multan where people took to the streets, Gilani said Multan was chosen for agitation so that the media flashed the news all across Pakistan.

He said the release of Baloch leader Akhtar Mengal was a provincial matter and now the provincial government would take up this issue.

“We are opposed to Army operation in Balochistan...we will get briefing on this matter before devising a strategy to handle the situation.”

On the local government system and its future, the prime minister said the devolution of power was conceived during the PPP time when governor Kamal Asfar was asked to present a programme of devolving power at the local level.

“I think holding non-party elections was a folly and we would redress it by holding party-based local government elections to strengthen the system,” said Gilani.

He said this would throw up new political leadership, and reminded that he himself started his political career from the level of district government.

He was of the view that the party and the government offices should be separated and he would vacate the party office in accordance with the party policy.●