LAHORE: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Sunday advised the people, who are ambitious to come to power, to wait till next general elections in 2013.
He was addressing a foundation stone laying ceremony of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Lawyers Hospital, to be built on Dev Samaj Road, here at the Governor’s House.Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khosa, Evacuee Trust Property Board Chairman Syed Asif Hashmi, Lahore Bar Association President Shahzad Hassan Sheikh, LHC Bar Association President Asghar Gil, People’s Lawyers Forum President Sardar Khurram Latif Khosa and a large number of lawyers were present on the occasion.The Prime Minister observed people would exercise their right to vote in favour of the party having shown best performance and a public service-oriented manifesto in the next general election.
“One must support the federal political party that guarantees security, development and integrity of the country,” he said and added PPP was the largest party, having roots in all the four provinces, AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan.Despite having been in power twice, they (the power aspirants) failed to give a manifesto for the people, he said, and added when the then General Pervez Musharraf had dismissed his government, the PPP stood by him (Nawaz Sharif) to save democracy.“The essence of the PPP manifesto is democracy, which is in the blood of its leadership and workers,” he said.Appreciating the lawyers community, the Prime Minister said lawyers had restored the dignity and honour of the judiciary through their utmost commitment and determination.
He said “Political parties, especially the PPP had stood side by side in the lawyers movement after deposition of Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry by dictator Pervez Musharraf. It was Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, who expressed solidarity with the CJP and hoisted the national flag at his house.”Gilani said BB Shaheed had always given importance to the legal fraternity during her movement for the restoration of democracy. “The present PPP government is following the vision and mission of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto Shaheed,” he said, and added despite being in power, ministers appeared before courts in various cases to ensure the rule of law.
The lawyers community, he said, was playing an effective role in dispensation of justice that ultimately saved society from chaos and ensured peace. He said democracy and peace could not sustain until the rule of law and the honour and dignity of institutions were maintained.The Prime Minister said his government had the credit to restore the spirit of the 1973 Constitution through the 18th Amendment.Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that terrorism was the single major challenge, posing a great threat to Pakistan and its institutions.He stressed upon the legal fraternity to play an effective role in fighting terrorism, and said “We have to fight out this menace come what may.”
He also mentioned that two weeks ago, the PPP led-government had convened an All Parties Conference to evolve national consensus on major issues including security and integrity of the country.Earlier, addressing the gathering, Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khosa said the PPP had always advocated true democracy that was why its founding leader Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had said ‘Pakistan belongs to People of Pakistan’.“Following in the footprints of our leaders, we will not let democracy derail,” he added.
Khosa said that despite provocative statements being issued by its opponents, PPP was adhering to politics of reconciliation so that democracy could be strengthened in the country.“The PPP government has brought FATA people into the mainstream by amending various laws including the FCR (Frontier Crime Regulation) as well as initiating developmental projects there,” he added.Appreciating the Prime Minister, he said, “PM Gilani is running state affairs in an articulate manner.
The prime minister also ensured his presence in all sessions of the National Assembly for the welfare and uplift of the people and development of the country.”Khosa also lauded the role and struggle of the legal fraternity, right from the Pakistan Movement and its inception to till date.He said lawyers, being an intellectual class having links from grassroots level to the elite, must expedite their efforts for the betterment of the people. – APP
