PM for accountability of NRO architect

APP

LAHORE - Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Sunday said the architect of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) should also face accountability.The federal law minister will present the government's viewpoint before the Supreme Court when he appears in the court, he said adding, it would have been better if the architect of the NRO had also been called for his version.Talking to a delegation of Lahore Press Club office-bearers, who met him at the Prime Minister House here, Yusuf Raza Gilani said the government had always respected the judiciary and would continue the policy in larger interest of the country.

The government's policy of reconciliation and tolerance will help improve the situation, he added.

The Prime Minister said all the institutions had to work in harmony to ensure stability and prosperity of the country and added the system laid down by the Constitution clearly demarcated their responsibilities.

Appreciating the media's role in creating awareness among the people, he said the media also had the responsibility to help establish peace and harmony in the society.

The media, he added, has to be balanced and objective while discharging its responsibilities to inform and guide people on the national issues.

To a question on the performance of the government, the prime minister elaborated the decision-making process at federal level. In this context, he mentioned regular cabinet meetings since its inception, meetings of the Economic Coordination Committee and his regular attendance at both the houses of the parliament. These forums not only help in the decision making, but also ensure the accountability of government initiatives on various fronts, he maintained.

To another query, Yusuf Raza Gilani said the present government had implemented a majority of commitments through the party manifesto. The PPP, he added, has made supreme sacrifices for the restoration of democracy and would continue with the spirit for strengthening the democratic system.

Congratulating the party's winning candidates in by-polls, Jamshaid Dasti (NA-178) Muzaffargarh and Asghar Ali Jatt (NA-167) Vehari, the prime minister requested Federal Minister for Defence and Defence Production Abdul Qayyum Jatoi to reconsider his resignation.

"Qayyum Jatoi's performance was good and the party values his worth and has full confidence in his leadership as well as recognises his services," he maintained.

The Prime Minister assured the LPC office-bearers that he would ask federal ministers and request the Chairman of National Implementation Commission for frequent interaction with the media and utilize platforms like the Lahore Press Club.

Gilani also directed authorities concerned to ensure mass publication of a book on the two-year performance of the government to facilitate the media, diplomats and other segments of the society.

The LPC delegation appreciated the reconciliatory approach of the prime minister which had helped resolve various crisis. They said the 18th amendment, the NFC Award, Aghaz-e-Haqooq Balochistan Package, internal autonomy to Gilgit-Baltistan and settlement of IDPs, were undoubtedly great achievements of the present government.

The LPC office-bearers also acknowledged that the Prime Minister's visit to the United States to attend the Nuclear Summit and to Bhutan for the SAARC Summit had improved Pakistan's image at international level.

LPC President Sarmad Bashir headed the delegation comprising Vice-President Amir Waqas Chaudhry, General Secretary Zia Ullah Khan Niazi, Treasurer Ansaar Zahid and members of the executive body.