Gilani meets Altaf to discuss national issues
LONDON, April 9 (APP)-Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani and MQM leader Altaf Hussain on Saturday held discussion on national issues and reiterated their support for the consolidation and strengthening of democracy.The Prime Minister, who is a private visit to London in connection with the treatment of his son Haider Gilani, drove to the North London  residence of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader after attending a lunch hosted in his honour by Federal Interior Rahman Malik.
The Prime Minister thanked the MQM leader for the good wishes and prayers for the speedy recovery and health of his son. He also appreciated the gesture shown by the MQM for sending a delegation to meet his son in the hospital.
Gilani said that he was taking all political parties along in the greater national interest and without any discrimination in the governance of the country.
Interior Minister Rahman Malik and Pakistan High Commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan accompanied the Prime Minister at the meeting. Members of the MQM Central Co-ordination Committee were also present.
The Prime Minister in his hour-long meeting noted the MQM’s support at  the Centre and said that he was thankful to the party in this regard which  had gone a long way in the consolidation of democracy in the country.
Gilani called for respecting mandate of the political parties. He also appreciated the endeavours of the MQM to expand into other provinces and in this regard mentioned the Sunday’s public rally of the party in Lahore and wished it all success.
Altaf Hussain appreciated the political sagacity of the Prime Minister and appreciated his policy of  consensus politics. He thanked the Prime Minister for visiting him at his residence and said he had been honoured.
The MQM leader further said that his party “speaks for all the people of Pakistan and not only those who speak Urdu”. He said the political parties would have to rise above the linguistic divide in the greater national interests, unity and solidarity.
had no option but to raise petroleum prices: GIlani       
ISLAMABAD, April 10 (APP):  Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said on Sunday that the government had already given a subsidy of Rs 35 billion on the petroleum products and had no option but to raise their prices in view of global hike.Talking to reporters after inaugurating a three-day energy conference here, the Prime Minister said,”the government can give subsidy, but the matter has to be discussed with the Finance Minister as the fuel prices have sharply increased the world over and the country has been facing serious economic challenges”.Prime Minister Gilani said that the government would take all its allies and political parties into confidence while preparing the next year’s budget and try to incorporate their proposals.
He said that the Pakistan Peoples Party government would continue to pursue the policy of reconciliation as it respected the mandate of all political parties and its leadership was sincere in resolving all issues.
About his meetings with Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif and Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain in London, the Prime Minister said that the political leadership was united and unanimous in facing grave economic and security challenges confronting the country.
Regarding the issue of devolution of the Higher Education Commission (HEC),the Prime Minister said that the government had the ability to address all challenges as there was “no wrong without a remedy.”
When asked that the parties that supported th 18th Amendment were also opposing the HEC’s devolution, the Prime Minister said that difference of opinion was part of democracy. He said the government had faced several challenges since it came into power, and had the ability to find a solution and address all such matters.
To a question about the issue of adulteration in diesel and other items,particularly in the rural areas, the Prime Minister said that it was a serious matter and there was a need for having effective legislation to counter the trend. He said due to government policies the lives of the farmers today were far better as 70 per cent of them were leading a more prosperous life.
About a statement made by former interior minister of Sindh Zulfiqar Mirza,Gilani said those were his personal views.Regarding the issue of a private sports television channel, the Prime Minister refused to comment saying that the matter was sub judice.