ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Monday said no stone would be left unturned to normalize situation in Karachi – the economic hub of the country.Speaking in the National Assembly, he said elaborate arrangements are afoot to improve law and order in Karachi.He said Interior Minister, who is on way back from London, would brief the House as soon as he reaches here. “This is the forum to discuss and if the House Business Committee makes any decision, the situation in Karachi could be discussed here,” the prime minister added.Regarding controversy over the action by Rangers to restore peace in the port city, the Prime Minister said it fell in the ambit of Sindh Government which can further elaborate on the issue.Prime Minister welcomed the offers made by the Opposition Leader and Central Leader of PML-Q for strengthening the democratic system and held out an assurance that the government would do all in its power to nurture democracy.Referring to the Parliament Lodges Phase-II construction project, the prime minister said that the Housing and Library Committee of National Assembly and the Government would accept whatever decision taken by the committee.Gilani said he has sought details from Cabinet Division, Planning Division, Law and Parliamentary Affairs and National Assembly and was informed that different projects are initiated by different departments in Islamabad.He said Parliament Lodges project was initiated in 2008, and the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) with Deputy Chairman Planning Commission in the chair approved it in September 2009. Later the project was presented to Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) headed by the then Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin, which also approved it on January 21 2010.
While the Housing and Library Committee of the National Assembly also approved it.
He, however, said contrary to the perception as if the project would cost Rs. 2.90 billion, in fact its actual cost would be Rs. 410 million, which had already been approved.He said the construction would take place in phases.Prime Minister said he has directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to reserve three percent quota for journalists in all the sectors of the federal capital.Earlier, the Prime Minister said Foreign Minister would take the House into confidence regarding the recent visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to the United States.“President took me into confidence and told me that that he has also taken the political leadership into confidence prior to his departure to the United States – APP
