Graft charges against politicians - agencies have no role in making or breaking govts

Graft charges against politicians; Gilani rejects formation of commission

Says agencies have no role in making or breaking govts

KARACHI: Rejecting the setting up of an investigation commission against former officers of the intelligence agencies, who have levelled charges in the media against politicians, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday declared that the political leadership is mature enough to run the democratic system in the country successfully.

The prime minister said this while talking to newsmen at the Chief Minister House here after chairing a special Sindh cabinet meeting. The prime minister was asked whether he will constitute a commission to probe into the charges levelled by former officers of intelligence agencies or impose a ban on these officers for raising issues in the media.

Gilani said these elements had their role but neither can they form a government or dissolve it because the political leadership is showing political maturity. The prime minister said the leaders across the political spectrum should show maturity and tolerance to continue the democratic dispensation which has been restored in the country after great sacrifices and hardship.

He said they had sacrificed a lot for the restoration of democracy and such statements from former intelligence officers could not derail democracy. The prime minister said politicians should remain steadfast to the cause of democracy and should allow others to work. The politicians have a great responsibility to make democracy succeed, he added.

The prime minister arrived in the provincial metropolis on Thursday evening on a two-day visit and he told the media that he came to observe the performance of the provincial government and to know about the political, law and order and price hike situation in the province.

Rejecting charges of corruption, the prime minister said the coalition government is performing very well. He said Balochistan is the top priority of the government and a committee constituted on the Balochistan issue had submitted its report and the government will take a decision very soon in this regard.

The prime minister, however, avoided replying to a question regarding the statement of Nawaz Sharif in which he had stated that the government has failed and the failure of the present regime is the failure of democracy. The prime minister said: "I do not mind what Nawaz Sharif has said." He also refused to reply when asked whether the government has made any request to Saudi Arabia to interfere in political affairs in Pakistan because Nawaz Sharif has urged not to involve Saudi government in the Pakistani politics. Gilani advised the questioner to ask Nawaz Sharif about it.

To a question about the reduction in the US aid for defence, the prime minister said the finance minister was talking to US authorities on this issue. He described the presence of Blackwater commandos in Pakistan as disinformation.

He said economic meltdown that we inherited has been arrested. Macroeconomic stability has been achieved. Foreign exchange reserves have crossed the mark of $14 billion. Economy is now set to resume the high growth path, Gilani said.

He said on the security front successful operations in the Malakand division and other parts of the country have set the stage for achieving success in the war against terrorists. The recent price hike of essential items during Ramazan, he said, has been artificially created by unscrupulous elements. This is totally unacceptable. "I am constantly keeping track of the situation by maintaining a close liaison with the federal and provincial agencies and things are improving," he said and added being mindful of the challenges being faced by our people, some of the decisions that the federal Government recently announced are: import of 300,000 tons of raw sugar, sale of 100,000 tons of sugar through Utility Stores at Rs38 per kg, sale of 150,000 tons of Atta and 50,000 tons of ghee at reduced rates through Utility Stores.

The prime minister said he was personally monitoring the situation. Necessary steps to rectify any uncalled for developments are being taken promptly. I am also considering holding a meeting of the chief ministers shortly. He said the provincial government; with the help of its coalition partners successfully tackled the law and order situation by arresting gangs of dacoits, terrorist and anti-social elements.

As a result, people of Karachi heaved a sigh of relief. However, these elements may again try to re-group and damage life, property and businesses. Recent surge in targeted killings and bank robberies in Karachi need to be curtailed, he added.

He said the federal government was supportive of the provincial government's endeavours to fight militancy in all forms. Where needed federal law-enforcement agencies will provide necessary support to the provincial government, he added. When asked whether his government would set up a judicial commission to probe into the 1992 operation in Karachi, the prime minister said he was not fully apprised of the situation.

Responding to another question about sugar prices, he said the ministry for industries was dealing the issue, adding the government wanted to adopt uniform policy in the four federating units. He said the federal government will provide modern weapons to the Sindh police. He handed over 15 police mobile for Police 15 in a ceremony held at the Chief Minister's house. Later, the prime minister chaired a special Sindh cabinet meeting and the chief minister and his cabinet members briefed the prime minister about the performance and issues of the province. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad was also present in the meeting.