Strong democracy answer to all problems: Gilani
ISLAMABAD, July 23 (APP): Rejecting the criticism of opposition parties over the issue of corruption, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has stated that a strong democracy coupled with effective institutions provide answer to all problems including corruption.“We are against corruption. Be it the political parties, judiciary or else, nobody likes it. We have in place the Constitution, law and the institutions. And there is an in-built mechanism to check corruption,” Gilani said in an interview with a private television channel Ary New- aired on Saturday night.The Prime Minister said the present government restored the 1973 Constitution, which empowered the parliament and other institutions, adding, it is for the first time that Leader of the Opposition was heading the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the parliament.
He said besides an in-built mechanism of accountability in all the institutions, accountability is also ensured through the Public Accounts Committee and the Auditor General of Pakistan office, adding, with an independent judiciary, active civil society and vibrant media, how the corruption can go unchecked.
“When there are institutions, individuals do not matter,” Gilani remarked.
The Prime Minister, however, added that the government will soon bring a new Accountability Bill to the Parliament, so that there is no finger pointing on this issue.
Prime Minister Gilani said that every dictator came with the slogan to eliminate corruption, but only offered regrets after ten years rule. “As the dictators do not have any political party, they have to depend on corrupt elements for their rule,” he remarked.
To a question, the Prime Minister said as the country was passing through evolution, all institutions including parliament, judiciary etc were trying to strengthen their position.
About the effective policing, Gilani said, it comes in the domain of provincial governments and he would ask the provinces to strengthen the police forces.
He, however, added that at the federal level he has already doubled the salaries of police personnel to resolve their financial problems as they have to work overtime to ensure law and order.
To a question about the criticism of Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif on federal government during his recent visit to UK, Gilani said, the political leaders, particularly when they go abroad, should only talk about Pakistan and not about petty differences.
Prime Minister Gilani termed his meetings with the senior officials in UK  very positive and said UK is very clear about Pakistan and wanted to support Pakistan by all means.
He said the UK government understands that Pakistan wants trade and not aid, that is why they were effectively pleading Pakistan’s case for greater market access to the European   Union (EU).
The Prime Minister also appreciated the UK’s assistance of 650 pounds  sterling for Pakistan’s education sector, which will benefit around four million children.
“The root cause of terrorism is illiteracy”, he said and added the UK’s assistance will help Pakistan in a big way.
Gilani also termed his address to the UK Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UKPCCI)  a big event during which he shared and explained his views and vision about Pakistan’s challenges and opportunities.
The Prime Minister said during the address he also announced one million pounds sterling for the one-window facility to address the problems of Pakistani expatriates in UK like Machine Readable Passports and other issues.
He said the Pakistan expatriates in UK were contributing a lot to Pakistan through hefty remittances and it was the duty of Pakistan government to facilitate them and resolve their problems.
To a question, the Prime Minister said that MQM has been our coalition partner and they supported the government on 18th Amendment, 7th NFC Award, Devolution Plan.
The Prime Minister to a question of blame game on each other said that all political parties should respect each other,adding that political maturity will do away with such practices.
About ups and down in Pak-US relations, the Prime Minister said, after the May 2 incident of Osama Bin Laden the trust deficit between the two countries increased.
Intelligence agencies of the two countries worked together in the war against terrorism and achieved many high value targets, the Prime Minster said, adding “ But we feel we were led down, we were ignored for not sharing this important information with us.”
The Prime Minister said that defeat and victory should be shared with each other.
About Admiral Mike Mullen statement in journalist Salim Shahzad killing, the Prime Minister said Pakistan has its own law and the government has set up a judicial commission, chaired by judge of the Supreme Court, to probe the killing. He said that if Mike Mullen has any information about it, he should share it with the Commission.
About electricity issue, the Prime Minister said that when he became Prime Minister in 2008 there was shortage of flour in the country and we were importing wheat but added that now we are self-sufficient in production of wheat and we are exporting this commodity.
He said that electricity and gas shortages are the main issues and government’s total focus during the next two years would be on these problems.He said our government added 3000 MW of electricity to the national grid during the first three years.
The Prime Minister while lauding the political maturity of PML-Q Chief Ch. Shajat Hussain said that he is a mature and seasoned politician and wanted to work with us, adding, both the parties will work together. He said both the parties are on the same platform after 40 years.
To a question about capability of Ms.Hina Rabbani Khar to lead the important ministry of foreign affairs, the Prime Minister said, she had been twice elected on general seat . She remained Minister of State for Finance and Economic Affairs Division and she delivered in all the tasks given to her, the Prime Minister said.
He said today’s foreign policy depends on economy. He said she was elevated to the post of Foreign Minister to represent Pakistan in an important meeting of ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting in Bali, Indonesia.
Prime Minister Gilani said that Pakistan is a resourceful country where our youth is of 65 percent of the total population.He expressed the hope that our youth will have a role in future politics and there is a bright future for them and Pakistan.