PPP not to indulge in horse-trading: PM
MURIDKE, Feb 26 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said on Saturday that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would never resort to horse-trading to get majority in Punjab.He said this while talking to newsmen here after addressing the 9th founder’s day of Chandh Bagh School.Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khosa,PPP Information Secretary Qamar Zaman Kaira, MPA Uzma Bokhari and local party leaders were also present on the occasion.Responding to a question pertaining to the current political situation in the province after the announcement of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif to break the alliance with the PPP, he said that in politics  no option was completely exhausted, adding that “options have now begun”.To another question, regarding the hint given by the PML-N chief to go for elections, the Premier said if the provincial governments were not able to hold local bodies elections, how could they conduct general elections.
To another question, Gilani said that the PML-N must “de-link” its 10-point agenda from the government in Punjab.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan is faced with economic, and law and order challenges because of the menace of terrorism and extremism and the government was focusing on these two major challenges. At present, Pakistan needs economic and political stability, he added.
He said that even if PPP did not remain partner in the Punjab government, even then, it would call upon all the political parties including PML-N, to come forward to steer the country out of economic and other crises.
To another query, he said though PML-N had parted ways with PPP-led federal government right in the beginning, the PPP had been running the government. “All our coalition partners are cooperating with us and PML-N has also played an effective role as parliamentary opposition,” he added.
He said, if the provincial governments were not able to hold local bodies elections, how could they conduct general elections, adding, in case the general elections are held, the PPP would clean sweep the polls.
The Prime Minister said that some people might have been desiring to come with PPP but “we do not believe in horse trading.” If PPP loses majority in Punjab, he added, it would prefer to sit on opposition benches instead of resorting to horse trading to gain majority.
Gilani said, there was no deadline or ultimatum in politics, and if Nawaz-League has decided to part ways with PPP, “we will not shun the policy of reconciliation.” He said that all the political parties would have to put up joint efforts for the progress of the country.” “Today, I announce that no single party can steer the country out of crises,” he added.
To a question, he said the PPP and PML-N teams worked very efficiently and seriously discussed the 10-point agenda for 200 hours. PML-N should de-link the 10-point agenda from the Punjab government, as PPP has been working to complete PML-N agenda, he added.
He said due to effective and viable policies of the federal government, Pakistan’s economy is improving; foreign reserves are all time high; stock-markets have shot up and there is boom in the agricultural sector. He added when he took over the government, there was wheat and atta shortage, but “now we are able to export the wheat.”
“We are habitual of mounting Herculean tasks and will continue to surpass such targets, and we will take Mian Nawaz Sharif on board regarding our economic agenda”, he said.
Earlier, addressing the Chand Bagh School ceremony, the Prime Minister said that education and health were the priority sectors of the government, citing, his forefathers had also rendered great services in these vital fields.
After the 19th Amendment, the Education has become a provincial subject, however, the federal government gives policy guideline in this regard, he added.
Gilani said that literacy rate in the country would be raised up to 85 percent by increasing GDP spending up to 7 percent by year 2015. While, the public sector schools’ syllabus would be improved to remove disparity between public and private sector educational institutions, he added.
He stressed the need for promoting the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal in the educational institutions.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister also directed the Punjab Governor to take effective measures to improve educational facilities in southern Punjab.
The Prime Minister announced a grant of Rs 40 million for endowment fund of the Chand Bagh School.
Earlier, the Prime Minister gave away medals, certificates and trophies to the faculty members and students.