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  • Dec 31st, 2009
  • Comments Off on Gilani to do away with bar on third-time Premiership
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday reiterated resolve to restore the 1973 constitution in its original form and vowed to do away with the restriction on becoming prime minister for third time. Addressing the gathering after the historic signing of the NFC award, he also rejected the amendments made by dictators in the constitution, saying that those who violate it need to be punished.

The Prime Minister said that he was in favour of strengthening the institutions, and not individuals. He said the 17th amendment and 58-2B would also be removed from the constitution and added that the constitutional committee was working in this regard.

He said that Akbar Bugti was a great supporter of federation, and had worked with Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. He said those responsible for his murder must be tried in a court of law. He termed the announcement of the consensus award as a "dividend of democracy" and reflection of commitment of the nation to strengthen the federation. He said democracy achieved something which a dictatorship could not do.

He said the 1973 constitution was an achievement of Z A Bhutto and strengthened the federation. He said the government believed in taking along all smaller provinces and that years of neglect would be addressed on priority. He said the provinces would be given political and financial autonomy. He said operationalisation of the Gwadar port would usher in an era of progress and prosperity for the province.

Gilani said he wished to set up a Navtec centre in Gwadar to train the locals and to ensure that they are given preference in all jobs. He said the educational qualification for appointment in Coast Guards would be lowered to middle to allow more locals into the jobs. He also announced giving of jobs to 20,000 locals in Balochistan and said it would help alleviate poverty and empower the locals.

He said the objective of his visit was to find out about the problems of the area and added that all measures would be taken to resolve the issues on priority. He said the work on the completion of an international airport would be done on priority, within the stipulated time.

He said the Gwadar port cannot be a success till it is connected to the rest of the country, and directed the Finance Minister to expedite release of funds. Gilani also took note of the shortage of electricity and the need to speed up work for getting 110 MW from Iran. He directed expedition of project for clean drinking water and to explore various options in this regard.

He announced a girls college, with a hostel in Gwadar, while the minister for overseas Pakistanis announced to fund construction of a school in Gwadar. He directed the chairperson of Benazir Income Support Program to visit the area and ensure that the deserving people have access to the scheme. He directed the Ministers to visit the area regularly to allay the issues of the locals. Gilani appreciated Balochistan government for hosting the historic event.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2009


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