General elections to take place in 2007, not ahead of schedule: Shaukat Aziz
28 August, 2005
LAHORE, August 28 (Online): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has reiterated next general elections will take place in 2007 as per schedule adding that it is not possible to hold these polls ahead of schedule.
"President General Pervez Musharraf and I have resolved that general elections will be held in 2007 as it is not possible that they are held prior to schedule", he said this while responding to a question in his longer press conference held here Saturday in chief minister house about possible holding of general elections in 2006 with reference to federal information minister.
Governor Punjab, Lt Gen (Retd) Khalid Maqbool, Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, Federal Ministers Humayun Akhtar Khan, Health Minister Muhammad Naseer Khan, Muhammad Ali Durrani, members of Punjab cabinet, senior civil officials and a large number of journalists were present on the occasion.
He held that timely holding of Local Bodies (LB) polls as pledged by the President General Pervez Musharraf was a positive movement forward towards stability of democracy in the country. Now the elections of Nazmeens and Naib Nazmeens will be held as per schedule in the third phase.
Victory and defeat in election is part of politics, he said stressing " we have now to promote the culture of accepting the defeat in election with open mind".
The full participation of people particularly women electorates has proved that local government system has taken its roots as all the people took part in these elections against the previous elections. This way the system has won vote of confidence now, he remarked.
I congratulate the winners besides appealing to the losers that it is part of politics to accept defeat, he underlined. However the doors to taking recourse to law of land is open if any irregularity or violation of code of conduct has been committed, he held. I believe that justice will be ensured to them.
The preliminary results exhibit that people have cast their votes in favour of those who are moderate, enlightened and progressive and those pleading for extremism have polled less votes, Prime Minister underlined. It is highly courageous and welcome indication , he noted.
He reiterated that the next general elections would be held as per schedule in 2007. However all the parties will draw up their plans for the general elections keeping in view their performance in these LB polls. The noteworthy point of these elections was that they got closer to the people of different school of thoughts and they have started wooing each other to seek support for the third phase of elections. The popular interest in the local government elections shows that people consider these elections as first step towards politics, he remarked.
About country's foreign policy and its relations with other countries Prime Minister asserted that among four neighboring countries China was the most trusted and old friend of Pakistan. Our relations in the areas of defence, trade and other fields are improving, he added. We have complete unanimity of views on all key global issues, he observed. Both have the proximity of views with reference to UN reforms that number of non permanent members of security council be increased.
On Pakistan, India relations he said that dialogue process was underway between the two sides for resolution of contentious issues. Achieving the lasting peace in the region will however remain elusive without the resolution of Kashmir dispute, he stressed. Indian foreign secretary will be coming to Islamabad within a few days for talks in this connection, he told. Later our people will also move to New Delhi.
"I will also meet Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during commonwealth and SAARC summit conferences", he pointed out. Besides this back door diplomacy is also in progress, he added.
He went on to say that Pakistan was a peace loving country. " We understand it well that pace of development can be accelerated in the region including Pakistan through the establishment of peace", he underscored.
The situation which was being created on the matters with Afghanistan, prime minister said, had registered remarkable improvement following his second visit to Afghanistan and after spending one day with the Afghan President Hamid Karzai. " We reiterate our full fledged support for President Hamid Karzai. We have deployed from 70 to 80 thousands troops on Pak-Afghan borders to counter the elements who are creating problems there , he hinted.
Regarding relations with Iran he said that Pakistan ties with brotherly Muslim country were very pleasant. New government has come there now and the contact process is in process with them. " I had met with former leadership of Iran during my visit to Iran a few months earlier, he observed.
Pakistan stance on Iranian nuclear issue is very clear. " We want matter is resolved through talks. We will never support such a resolution of issue which comes through any military action.
About his visit to Japan he said Japan was one of most important countries of the world. My visit to Japan remained successful and productive. Following the restoration of financial assistance from Japan to Pakistan, private sector mood has changed. All the major companies were taking keen interest for investment in the country.
On national strategic issues he said that development of cruise missile indigenous technology and test firing of this missile was a good notion. This is fruitful result of research and untiring efforts employed by our scientists in this field.
He reiterated Pakistan was a peaceful country and had no aggressive designs against any country. Our strategic program was guarantor of our security and defence, he added.
History has proved it that strategic program was our national need following the commencement of efforts by India for acquisition of modern technology by India. Its utility has been proved in 2002 when one million Indian troops deployed on our borders could not take any action due to this strategic capability. However some other factors are also involved in it, he indicated.
About national economy Prime Minister said that GDP growth rate remained 8.4 percent last year. Improvement in agriculture sector has given impetus to agro-economy. As a result of availability of money with the farmers, the annual sale of motorcycles climbed from one and one and a half lac motorcycles to five Lac motor cycles. Due to increase in demand of tractors, the tractor manufacturing factories are facing difficulties in meeting the demands.
The Telecommunication field also got a big boost as over 30 million mobile phone connections were given last year which places Pakistan on the position next to China in Asia. The sale of mobile phone connections is increasing from two and a half Lac to 10 Lac every month.
"We have a potential challenge ahead, he said adding there is a big gap between our human resources and requirements. We have to work to bridge this gap, he stressed.
Citing to the structural reforms being pursued by the government he said private sector was largely benefiting from the completion of 95 percent work with reference to reforms in banking sector. Consumer banking is flourishing. $293 million had gone to national exchequer due to deregulation of IT sector and issue of license to new mobile phone company, he informed.
He underlined that deregulation was not tantamount to giving free hand but it is aimed at taking forward the market forces through an active regulator.
He maintained that oil prices were not under government control. In order to keep them at moderate level, the government had to bear the brunt of additional $ one billion in addition to the taxes collected under this head.
It is age of competition and we have to start work from just now on the projects to meet our future requirements, he said. Therefore, we have announced for construction of motor way from Faisalabad to Karachi so that the consignment of goods is ensured within 36 hours rather than five days. Like wise airport project has been chalked out for Islamabad adding he would soon inaugurate this project.
Responding to various questions with reference to AGN Qazi report on dams he told that the report was being reviewed. It is however a settled thing that country direly needed new dams. Important announcement would soon be made in connection with construction of dams.
Replying to another question he said that Pakistan position was very clear with reference to eradication of terrorism, internal security and sovereignty. " We will not allow forces of some other country to launch action on our soil.
It is as much obligation of people of Pakistan as of armed forces to defend our frontiers, he urged. Terrorism is not acceptable in human, moral and religious perspective, he observed. Our religion particularly does not allow it, he added. We are determined to counter this negative process in the country.
To a question about local bodies elections he said we had made it clear from the very first day whosoever observer wanted to come to Pakistan to monitor elections could come. If some institutions had filed any report with reference to these observers, government would review it and yield reply, he told. The election commission role is key role in the election. If some one has any complaint he should resort to law of land.
Election commission has played positive role in the elections, he noted.
To another question he said that appointment of acting chief election commissioner was made due to the factor that LB polls were imminent. Now permanent appointment of chief election commissioner will soon be made, he hinted.
On third phase of LB polls he said that election of Nazmeens should be held in fair and transparent manner.
Replying to a query on Indian foreign secretary statement about non granting of permission in regard to Afghan Transit trade he said every country had right to promote relations with other country. If Indian wants Pakistan grants it permission to carry out transit trade with Afghanistan, our stance was then very clear that we would not allow it unless Kashmir issue was settled. However Pakistan had extended offer to India for according it transit facilities to pass gas pipeline to central Asian republics and joining Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline. It is all right if it wants to join it otherwise we will complete this project to meet our growing needs.
About contacts with opposition he said doors are never shut down in politics. Contacts with opposition go on and we continue to meet them on their desire in public or private. However we should adopt consensus stance on the matters of national interest, he stressed. End.
|
