Seraiki province to be part of PPP manifesto in next elections: Gilani
MULTAN (JALALPUR PIRWALA), March 13 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Sunday promised to make Seraiki province a part of PPP’s next election manifesto. He said this while addressing a big public gathering at Jalalpur Pirwala stadium, over 90 kilometres from Multan, after inaugurating a 132KV grid station and energizing 71 villages there. The electricity supply to 71 villages of Jalalpur Pirwala was ensured under a Rs 220 million scheme.
The Jalalpur Pirwala stadium was jam-packed with the crowd who responded the announcement with roaring slogans and clapping.
Gilani said that we will safeguard the rights of all the institutions and defend the rights of the institution of parliament. He said, we have neither interfered in the jurisdiction of others nor will we allow others to interfere in ours affairs.
He announced that the support price of agriculture produce would be raised to ensure due return of agri production to the growers.
He said that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had always extended help to growers and it was her vision that served as the inspiration for the government to adopt a grower-friendly policy that ensured good returns to growers in accordance with the international market.
It was the PPP government that had raised the support price of crops, he said, and reiterated resolve to safeguard the rights of growers to bring about a boom in agriculture sector, the backbone of national economy.
The Prime Minister said that government would complete its five year term as per constitution. People had given us mandate for a period of five years, he added.
He said that those talking about change should not seek five-year performance after just three years. Premier, however, added that people have the right to hold their representatives accountable through ballot after completion of five-year tenure.
Gilani said that PPP has not come to power through the back door and was democratically elected by the party workers and the masses.
The premier said that country wide poverty survey was in progress under Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and those identified as poor would be enabled to avail health insurance and life insurance facilities.
He said that a list of those who were unable to pay Sui gas or electricity bills was also being prepared so that they can be provided relief.
The Prime Minister said that popularity of a ruling political party can be judged through bye elections. He added that Jamshed Ahmad Khan Dasti won the bye elections in Muzaffargarh, Begum Amir Yar Waran declared successful in Bahawalpur bye polls while other party candidates also scored victories in bye polls in Gujranwala, Vehari and Sargodha. How they can say that we lack support of people? PM questioned.
I will sit on the opposition benches the day I loose the support of elected representatives, PM said and added that even then he will continue to serve the people.
Gilani said that he was cognizant of the challenges including price hike, unemployment, terrorism, and sectarianism.  People are also concerned about these issues, PM said. He, however posed a question: “Is there anyone who can promise to resolve these problems immediately if given a chance?”
The PM added that we took the responsibility at a time when country was confronting extremely tough circumstances. He added the incumbent government was making sincere efforts against the menace of terrorism, sectarianism and inflation. Gilani said the government was offering compensation to flood affectees despite facing economic challenges.
The premier said that Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto gave self respect to the people and induced the spirit in them to fight for their rights. He said that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto sacrificed their lives for the rights of the people and for democracy.
He said that the present government was moving forward in the line with the 36-point manifesto of the martyred PPP leaders.  We have implemented this vision up to 21 points and were committed to moving forward in the right direction to fulfil the remaining part of the manifesto, he added. There exist no political prisoner in jails, a fact which clearly shows the commitment of the government to politics of reconciliation.
PPP had always struggled hard against the dictatorship to strengthen democracy and will continue to move forward with the same spirit. “I myself remained in jail for five years but neither complained to any body nor resorted to avenge.”