ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has commended the endeavors of the provinces especially Punjab and Sindh to achieve wheat production target in the country. He has assured the farmers that procurement operation would continue till their surplus wheat is exhausted. The Prime Minister said Pakistan has achieved a bumper wheat crop this year and estimates are that target of 24 million tons of wheat will be achieved which is at least a million tons more than the local requirements.

Procurement target of 6.5 million tons of wheat fixed for the country during this year has been surpassed and for the facility of the farmers, the federal and provincial governments are continuing procurement of wheat over and above the target, he informed.

Punjab has procured four million tons, Sindh has acquired 1.1 million tons and PASSCO has purchased 1.4 million tons and the procured wheat will be used for strategic and operational reserves, he observed. He said the government wants to deliver maximum benefits to farmers and the efforts to bring improvement in their standard of living is in line with the party’s vision of providing “roti, kapra and makan” to all.

He said a breakthrough in wheat production has been made possible by a number of policy interventions by the government and foremost among them is the increase in the guaranteed minimum price from Rs. 625 to Rs. 950 per 40 kg fixed by the government well before the sowing season of wheat.

The government spent more than Rs. 52 billion on the procurement of 6.5 million tonnes of wheat and it will be saving much more than this amount by eliminating imports of the commodity this year, he remarked. The government also gave a massive subsidy of Rs. 27 billion in the supply of urea and DAP fertilizer, he said adding the government made elaborate arrangements to import fertilizer to make up its deficiency.

Off take of urea fertilizer this year is more than the last year although off take of DAP was less due to higher prices in the international market, the Prime Minister added. He told that the government was taking steps to reduce dependence on imported fertilizers by enhancing local production capacity.

The Prime Minister said the breakthrough in wheat production in Pakistan would ensure food security in the region and this has been rightly acclaimed internationally. He pointed out that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has publically appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to overcome food shortage in the country.

The Prime Minister said the government has issued credit lines of more than Rs. 180 billion to provinces and PASSCO to procure wheat at guaranteed minimum price announced by the government. These limits are being extended suitably to carry on the wheat procurement operations beyond the target of 6.5 million tonnes which has already been surpassed, he added.

The wheat procurement is a massive program which will generate an income of about 250 million for the farming community of the country and bring about prosperity in the rural economy. He said the higher production of wheat will save massive amount of foreign exchange used on wheat imports as the government spent more than US$ two billion on the imports of wheat during the last two years. With enhanced support of wheat price, the government will gradually reduce subsidy on fertilizer, he added.-APP

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani held a meeting with Chief Minister Punjab and President PML (N), Mian Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif accompanied by the Leader of Opposition in National Assembly, Ch. Nisar Ali Khan here at the PM House on Tuesday. In the meeting it was agreed in principle to continue the previous arrangement of the coalition government between PPP and Pakistan Muslim League (N) in Punjab.

It was also decided to revive the earlier committee comprising members from PPP and PML (N) meant for better coordination between the two parties in Punjab. The meeting expressed unanimity of views that to address the internal and external challenges being faced by the country and in the greater national interest both major political parties of the country would continue to respect each other’s mandate, strengthen democratic institutions, institutionalize good governance and work together for the smooth and effective functioning of the parliamentary process.

They also reaffirmed their resolve to achieve the common objectives of making Pakistan peaceful and progressive nation by promoting policy of public welfare including poverty alleviation, checking inflationary spiral, overcoming energy shortage and addressing the other serious socio?economic problems afflicting the common man.

The meeting also discussed issues related to overall political and security situation in the country. Both sides agreed that Parliament being the supreme forum for making policies of national importance would be further strengthened.

It was also decided that the Federal Government and its agencies would work in close liaison with the provincial governments in order to counter the increasing trend of security related issues to ensure safety of life and property of the people.

The meeting also expressed concern at various statements from certain quarters challenging the writ of the government.

There was unanimity of views that the democratic process provided the best way forward for the country and both the parties would not only stand together to safeguard the democratic process but would also take onboard all the other political parties of the country to strengthen the system.

The Prime Minister apprised the Co?Chairman of PPP, Asif Ali Zardari, who is currently visiting the US about the coalition arrangement in Punjab, agreed in today’s meeting with the PML (N) leadership. The Co?Chairman said that it is the need of the hour that the two major political parties should jointly contribute towards political reconciliation and stability of the country.

The meeting was also attended by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Babar Awan, Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Provincial Punjab Minister for Finance, Tanveer Ashraf Kaira and Punjab Minister for Law, Rana Sanaullah. The meeting was followed by lunch. -APP

LAHORE: Prime Minster Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif have agreed to carry forward reconciliation process according to the Charter of Democracy (CoD). According to State- run TV on Saturday, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan People Party (PPP) would remain in the Punjab government as part of reconciliatory policy.

Both leaders exchanged views on law and order situation in Punjab, terrorism and other issues in one-on-one meeting lasted for one and half-hour at the prime minister’s residence in Lahore.

Gilani told Shahbaz that all parties would be invited to the all parties’ conference so that a joint strategy could be framed to deal with issue of terrorism and other challenges facing the country.-SANA

LODHRAN: Punjab Chief Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif has said that PML-N will welcome PPP if it decides to become part of Punjab government. Talking to media men here on the occasion of wedding of MPA Syed Rafiuddin on Sunday, he said he has extended invitation to the Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani to join Punjab cabinet.

He said Mian Nawaz Sharif has written a letter to the Prime Minister in which it has been recommended that a national conference be convened for devising a strategy to pull the country out of the present crisis. Shahbaz Sharif said that it will be ensured that farmers receive payment of wheat at the rate of Rs950 per ton. The small farmers will be protected, he added.-SANA

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People Party (PPP) is likely to resign from Punjab cabinet during the next few days. According to sources, Pakistan Muslim League-N may form its government with the support of PML-Q’s Parliamentary Group by the end of this month.

The PML-N has said Good-Bye to PPP after its refusal to rejoin the government at the center. PML-N would form its own government in Punjab with support of 49 MPAs. Chaudhry Muhammad Ayaz, Engineer Imran Ashraf, Chaudhry Shafiq Anwar, Saeed Akbar Noraani, PML-F’s Makhdoon Ahmed Mahmood and MMA’s Ali Haider Nor Nayazi are likely to be inducted into the provincial government.

Meanwhile, Mian Atta Muhammad Manika of PML-F’s Parliamentary Group will be offered a senior ministry portfolio.-SANA

Association of Pakistani Lawyers, a team of Pakistani origin lawyers, Solicitors, Barristers, Judges in UK has welcomed the restoration of Shahbaz Sharif as Chief Minister Punjab as well as his Govt in the largest Province of Pakistan. APL declared it a victory of millions of people who prayed for the reinstatement of the Chief Minister for his dedication, tireless hard work and exemplary good governance & quality service initiatives, where he attempted in a corruption rid culture to a bribery free administration by bridling the police and bureaucracy in service of the people.

APL in a statement has welcomed the grant of stay order against the SC decision of 25 February by the Supreme Court bench, which is headed by Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, includes Justice Nasir ul Mulk, Justice Musa K Leghari, Justice Shaikh Hakim Ali and Justice Fassihuddin Ahmed. APL hoped that Justice will be seen to be done in Sharif’s case in the end meeting all the rules of natural justice.

APL confirmed that the association in their statement of 25 Feb 09 condemned any attempts to keep twice Premier Nawaz Sahrif and his brother Shahbaz Sharif out of the parliament and had shown serious reservation(s) over the Supreme Court ruling and declared it a sad day for democratic drive in Pakistan. APL confirmed even today in their statement that it still feels that implementation on Charter of Democracy’ is the lone key for the survival of political process, Federation and viable military free civil democracy in Pakistan at this moment . APL urged that it is the need of the time that politicians after experiencing 3 martial laws of nearly four decades must learn a lesson from it and must work jointly for rule of law, justice, democracy and for the state of ‘Pakistan’ on the principle of live and let live in the country and initiate joint collaboration on ‘COD’ on emergency basis.

If popular politicians are kept out of Parliament, then ultimately decisions are made on streets which will be tragedy for the democratic struggle and above all for the State of Pakistan which is in a volatile situation at the moment due to ongoing ‘war on terror’ on its rear border and Afghanistan, and its poverty ridden people and weaker institution(s).

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued a stay order on Tuesday against the disqualification of Pakistan Muslim League-N President Mian Shahbaz Sharif. Mian Shahbaz Sharif has been restored as Chief Minister of Punjab immediately following the issuance of the stay order. Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Tuesday suspended its earlier ruling barring former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his brother from holding elected office, and restored their government in key province of Punjab.

The apex court bench, headed by Justice Tassaduq Jilani, heard Sharif brothers eligibility case. According to the verdict, till the apex court’s hearing and decision into Sharifs’ case, Shahbaz Sharif would continue serving as chief minister Punjab.

‘The operation of the February 25 order has been suspended,’ Judge Tassaquq Hussain Jilani told the court allowing Shahbaz Sharif, who was chief minister of Punjab, to resume office.

Input from agencies

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari yesterday called on Pakistan Muslim League headed by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to form government in Punjab. Zardari made the call after chairing a meeting of Pakistan People’s Party’s Parliamentary group at the Governor’s House in Lahore. His son and Co-Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Zardari Bhutto also attended the meeting. “We will support PML-N’s provincial government and if the leadership of the party wants the PPP to join a coalition,” Zardari said.

Zardari’s statement came amid reports of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry constituting a larger bench to hear a set of review petitions filed by Federation of Pakistan, Speaker, Punjab Assembly, proposer and seconder of the Sharif brothers in by-elections, Mehr Zafar Iqbal and Shakeel Baig and others. The petitions seek to overturn the Supreme Court’s decision of Feb. 25 in which both PML-N leaders Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif were disqualified from holding any public office.

The five-member bench meets today. The bench will also hear a separate application moved by the federal government seeking suspension of the disqualification order of the two brothers till the time it is not decided.

Zardari said setting a good example of tolerance, “we have given full chance to PML-N for the formation of government in Punjab.” The future line of action now depends entirely on the conduct of PML(N) toward PPP, he added.

Zardari said PPP, since its inception, firmly believed in supremacy of the constitution, rule of law, national cohesion, solidarity, sovereignty and promotion of democratic system of government. “The PPP is making all sincere efforts to strengthen democracy in the country. It had rendered record number of sacrifices in the political history of Pakistan, especially the Bhutto family for the restoration and promotion of democracy in the country,” Zardari said.

He reiterated that his party “will leave no stone unturned to promote the politics of tolerance, decency and do away with the politics of confrontation and agitation across the country.” He said following the policy of reconciliation, he announced the lifting of governor’s rule in Punjab during his address to joint session of the Parliament on Saturday.

Bilawal Zardari Bhutto also spoke on the occasion. He categorically endorsed all the policies being pursued by his father. He said the president should be politically strengthened. Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, President PPP, Punjab, Rana Aftab Ahmad Khan, former senior minister Raja Riaz Ahmad and other party stalwarts attended the meeting besides all party MNAs and MPAs.

Reacting to Zardari’s offer, leader of the opposition in the National Assembly said PML-N’s main preference was the implementation of Charter of Democracy which the PPP and PML-N had signed. He said: “If we undo 17th Constitutional Amendment most of the powers will be transferred to Prime Minister’s Office.”
courtesy: Arab News

LAHORE: President Asif Ali Zardari said on Sunday that Pakistan People’s Party has asked Pakistan Muslim League (N) to form government in the Punjab province. Speaking at the provincial parliamentary party meeting of PPP at Governor House, he said that PPP will sit in the opposition in the Punjab Assembly, participate in its proceedings and will not let down the government.

He said “Setting a new good example of tolerance, we have given full chance to PML?N for formation of government in Punjab.” The future line of action will now exclusively rest with the conduct of PML?N towards PPP, he added.

He said PPP always, since its inception, firmly believed in supremacy of the Constitution, rule of law, national cohesion, solidarity, sovereignty and promotion of democratic system of government.

He said PPP is making all sincere efforts to strengthen democracy in the country.

It had rendered record number of sacrifices in the political history of Pakistan, especially the Bhutto family for the restoration and promotion of democracy in the country.

President Zardari said that PPP will leave no stone unturned to promote the politics of tolerance, decency and do away with the politics of confrontation and agitation across the country.

He said that PPP will continue to take forward the process of reconciliation, which is one of the most important elements for getting resolved all political disputes by holding result oriented peaceful parleys.

He said as a result of successful reconciliation efforts, he had announced during his address to joint session of the parliament, the lifting of Governor Rule in Punjab and asked PML (N) to form its government in the province.

Asif Ali Zardari said that PPP will continue to pursue its historic manifesto of “Roti, Kapra aur Makan” and urged the parliamentary party to work with devotion for the welfare and betterment of the downtrodden segment of the society.

He said the messages of the founder of the PPP Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto must be conveyed properly to the people at grassroots level in every nook and corner of the country.

Chairman PPP, Bilawal Zardari Bhutto briefly speaking on the occasion categorically endorsed all the policies being pursued by his father. He said that whatever President Asif Ali Zardari is doing, he should be politically strengthened.

Bilawal said his father, who also contributed a lot for the promotion and restoration of democracy, is following the footprints of his late grandfather and mother.

Punjab Governor, Salman Taseer, President PPP Punjab, Rana Aftab Ahmad Khan, former senior minister Raja Riaz Ahmad other party stalwarts including Qasim Zia, Chaudhary Asghar Gujjar attended the meetings besides all party MNAs and MPAs.

Governor Rule Lifting recommended:
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday announced to recommend the lifting of Governor’s Rule in Punjab and said the PPP will support the candidate of PML (N) in the provincial assembly.

“I wish to announce that we will recommend the lifting of Governor’s Rule in Punjab”

the President said while addressing the joint sitting of the parliament here. President Zardari said Pakistan Peoples Party will support the candidate of PML (N) whoever he might be.

About 17th Amendment
The President said that a parliamentary committee would be constituted to review the 17th Amendment and 58-2(B). He said:

“I propose to form a parliamentary committee for reviewing the 17th Amendment and 58-2(B).”

President Zardari said the above committee be formed without any further delay.

About Charter of Democracy:
He also proposed to form a committee to review Charter of Democracy (CoD) for its implementation. President Zardari said the supremacy of parliament was a dream of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and the government has taken steps to fulfill her dream.

Baluchistan Issue:
The President said he visited Balochistan yesterday and met with cross section of the people in the province. He said he was urged to form a parliamentary committee to address the issues of Balochistan.

“I urge the parliament to form the parliamentary committee to resolve problems of Balochistan,”

He also spoke in favor of giving Balochistan people the autonomy they have been demanding for the last 60 years. He announced Rs47 billion plan for development of Balochistan.

Economic crisis and terrorism:
He said the country is passing through a severe economic recession as the global meltdown has badly affected country’s economy. The president vowed to root out terrorism and extremism. The President said the present government inherited a number of problems including war against terrorism and economic challenges.

“Difficult decisions had to be taken in the wake of the global economic meltdown, In this regard I congratulate the Prime Minister.”

He said the rate of inflation has registered a decline and hoped that it would be brought down to a single digit by the next year. The value of rupee has improved as well as the foreign remittances.

People from all walks of life have welcomed his recommendations.