Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that government would not take any step against the national interest and people waiting for shortcut to come in power should wait for next elections of 2013.
Addressing to oath talking ceremony of new office bearers of Lahore Press Club on Sunday, he said that the government of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) believes in independence of media and given exemplary freedom to media in the country, adding that the laws imposed by dictator on 3rd November 2007 were removed with help of parliament.
He said that time has gone when an elected Prime Minister was use to fight with army chief, president, chief justice and opposition, adding that we want to run the affairs of government with the collaboration of all stake holders.
The government is not believed on press advice and censorship, adding that Lahore has an important role in the field of journalism, adding that we are not doing any indiscrimination with the journalists of Lahore. The journalists of Lahore have the same rights as that of Islamabad and Multan, he added.
He said no body would be allowed to create barriers in the way of freedom of press, adding that the current government gives more freedom as compared to the eras of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto; meanwhile he said that we established endowment fund with the cost of 200 million for the journalists.
He said that he will direct the information minister to make the Pakistan Press Council as functional institute, adding that it was the wish of my father that I should be a doctor but unfortunately I could not secure admission in medical due to less marks.
He said that he is taking the criticism of media as positive advice, adding that if the small provinces would have been given the Bangladesh it would have not been separated from Pakistan, adding we gave rights to Gilgit-Baltistan and other small provinces and brought the 18th constitutional amendment for restoration of 1973 constitution and NFC awards was given to provinces.
He said that we have removed the bar on third time Prime Minister for Nawaz Sharif because Benazir is no more alive, adding that if the government would have any biasedness in mind then it never eliminate the bar of prime minister in the 18th amendment, adding that now the masses have to decide that whether they choose Nawaz Sharif as prime minister for third time or not. We made Nawaz Sharif eligible for the post, he added.
He said that the government had not said yes to US on a single call, adding the government told Colin Powel that we cannot make any agreement on the national security, adding we want to run the affairs of government with the collaboration of all parties and we called the small parties in the All Parties Conference; meanwhile he said that he respects Takhat-e-Lahore.
He said that the Balochistan package had been given to eliminate the grievances of the province.
He said that he had dedicated his book “Chahe Yousuf Se Sada” on the name of silent majority of the country, adding that if the silent majority do not support then change in the country is impossible.
He said that some people are seeking a shortcut to find their way into government but no such thing will take place as the elections will be held in 2013, not earlier, adding that if they think the assemblies would be dissolved through unconstitutional means and any miracle would happened. They should show patience and wait for their turn, he added.
He said that he would be the first prime minister of country who will present fifth budget and it would be a record of country in the world.
Meanwhile answering questions of journalists he also stated that Pakistan has decided to recognize Libya’s new government.
PM said that first time in the history of Pakistan the military leadership appeared before the parliament for many times, adding that in the era of governments holding two-thirds majority it cannot happen.
He said that the political and military leadership is united on national security, adding that he had wrote a letter to the Speaker National Assembly to constitute a committee for the implementation of resolution passed in the APC.
He said we want good relations with US, adding that the relations with US improved after the APC, and we called a joint session of parliament on the issue of Osama Bin Laden and conveyed a message to the world that we are a responsible nation and want relations with world on equality basis.
Replying to a question he said the APC was arranged against the US statements that conveyed a good message to the world and proved that the whole nation is united on the issue of national security, adding that the criticism of opposition on government is good for the improvement of government.