SC decision has further enhanced respect of Parliament; Gilani

       
ISLAMABAD, Oct 21 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said Supreme Court’s decision on the 18th Constitutional Amendment has “further enhanced” respect of the Parliament. Talking to media after visiting the NADRA headquarters, Gilani said the government in consultation with the Speaker of the National Assembly and Parliamentary Committee would proceed on the matter in line with the verdict of the Supreme Court.Gilani said being an “old parliamentarian” and former Speaker of the National Assembly he had earlier remarked that the decision would be “positive” and now everyone has seen it.“The respect of the Parliament has been further enhanced. The Judiciary has proved that they see us with respect,” Gilani said.
The Prime Minister said the Parliamentary Committee had worked hard on the 18th amendment and now it would move forward in line with the decision of the Court to review it.
 Gilani said the purpose of his visit to NADRA headquarters was to learn about its working on the Watan cards project. He appreciated that NADRA had taken effective measures to ensure transparency in the project. NADRA will also issue arms licences, he added.
He said the discussions with NADRA officials also encompassed the questions whether the deserving people under the Benazir Income Support Programme could be provided life or health insurance and concession in utility bills.
He said the government intended to distribute stipend among the needy after completion of country-wide poverty survey, adding that it would be the world’s largest cash distribution system being run in the shortest possible time.
He said the government was concerned about the settlement of 20 million people affected by recent floods, and hoped that the ongoing projects would prove helpful in this regard.
He said Rs. 15 billion would be distributed among the flood victims within next few days.
About one million people will get Watan cards and they can know the status of their cash grant by sending an SMS. More centres would be opened by NADRA to facilitate people and avoid long queues.
He said NADRA was also providing its expertise to Keyna, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and other countries.
To a question on the situation in Karachi, he said the Interior Minister would hold a meeting with all stakeholders on Thursday to evolve a political solution.
He said Pakistan wanted to strengthen its defence and economic relations with the United States through the Strategic Dialogue.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan was in the frontline on the war on terrorism and making efforts for the peace, progress and development of the whole world.
“The world should take care of the needs of Pakistan.”
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Defense Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and Army Chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani are in Washington to boost the multi-dimensional ties of the two countries, he added