Political leadership to be consulted for relief on petroleum prices; Gilani
ISLAMABAD, Apr 1 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani while admitting increase in fuel prices is a matter of concern for the people of Pakistan, told Senate that the government in consultation with political leadership would find a way out to provide relief to the masses and minimize the burden.“I will ask Finance Minister to sit with leadership and find out how to provide relief to the masses. We need your assistance and advice,” he said while responding to point of orders in the Senate.He said the government is trying to minimize the prices of petroleum products. Rs. 35 billion subsidy is already being paid on petroleum products. Our tax on petroleum products is the  lowest in the world, he said.
The Prime Minister requested the masses to follow conservation policy and conserve electricity, gas and oil in national interest.
He said the prices of fuel products are going up in the international market and these are not in government’s control. Ultimately OGRA passes on the effect of increase in international market to the masses.
The Prime Minister said the government has nothing to do with increase in fuel prices, rather it only tries to lower its effect on the masses.
“We are political people and we have to deliver to masses. We cannot afford to be rejected by the masses.”
He said the people should also know that our export growth was historic, our remittances crossed Rs. 11 billion and foreign reserves stand at Rs. 17 billion.
He said the increase in wheat crop resulted in prosperity of the farmers,adding that despite flash flood we exported wheat.Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani realized the fact that he had come to Senate after a long interval, however, he replied to each and every point of order of the Senators.
Referring to suicide attacks on JUI-F chief, he condemned the attacks  and termed it a cowardly act. “We have to chalk out a joint strategy to curb the menace of terrorism,” he remarked.
The Prime Minister congratulated Senate of Pakistan on passage of different bills. He especially mentioned bill to reform election process and said the PPP-led government wants transparent election in the country and would ensure right to vote to each and every citizen.
He said the passage of Code of Criminal Procedure (amendment) bill would provide relief to the accused person languishing in jails for an indefinite period and there cases were under trial from a long time.
“We should learn from the history. I myself could not get bail in NAB case despite the fact it was my right.”
Regarding the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils (amendment) bill, 2010, he said the financial grant must be for all institutions of the country, adding that bar could not be isolated from other institutions.
The Prime Minister responding to a point of order regarding Balochistan situation said that the government has taken numerous measures to remove sense of deprivation of the people of the province.
He said the people of the Balochistan and FATA have been given representation in the cabinet. Similarly, the PPP-led government initiated dialogue with the leadership of Balochistan as well as introduced “Aghaz-e- Haqooq-e-Balochistan package for prosperity of the province and its people.
Gilani said that Minister of Inter Provincial Coordination have been asked to ensure the implementation of Balochistan package in letter and spirit and address the deprivation of the Baloch people.
Recounting other measures of the government, he said electricity has been provided to all Basic Health Units in Balochistan, youth of 30 districts of the province would be awarded with scholarship and admission in well reputed educational institutions of the country, relaxation have been given to Baloch people in 5,000 jobs and 5,000 more are in pipeline, he added.
In addition to this, he said Information Technology campuses with best faculty of the country would be set up in each and every district of the province.
Regarding missing persons, he said that a judicial commission is already working on the issue and he would ask minister for parliamentary affairs Dr.Babar Awan to brief the House about the report of the commission.
Commenting of semi-final cricket match between Pakistan-India, Prime Minister SyedYusuf Raza Gilani said he would invite the members of national cricket team.
He acknowledged the performance of Pakistan cricket team in the World Cup and reaching in the semi-final. “We have to encourage the players for even better results in the future,” he added.
Gilani said that the semi-final match provided a very useful opportunity to the leadership of Pakistan and India to get together and discuss the whole gamut of bilateral relations.
The Prime Minister termed his interaction with the Indian leadership as a milestone for opening up a new chapter of good neighbourly relations and cooperation between the two countries.
He said all issues including the core issue of Kashmir was part of the discussion between Pakistan and India and both agreed on resolving all issues through dialogue and give their nations peace and prosperity.
The issues of inflation, poverty, hunger, disease and unemployment were also came under discussion, he added.
He said there was a consensus on both sides that the two countries had the will and ability to resolve their problems.
Gilani said that the purpose of the invitation by his Indian counterpart was a good will gesture, adding that it was not a matter of victory or loss in the match rather it was victory of the two nations.
The Prime Minister also spoke on Pak-Afghan relations and said that the President of Afghanistan for the first time had realized that Pakistan and Afghanistan had suffered in the hands of common enemy (terrorists).
“We both should get united and fight common enemy,” he said adding the realization by Afghan President was a good omen.
Gilani said Pakistan wants to work for peace across the globe. “We should be considered as part of the solution,” he remarked.