Politics of agitation not conducive for Country: PM
Opens first high speed train - Discusses 3rd round of LG polls with Punjab CM
Bureau Report

LAHORE—Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Monday that opposition parties must keep national interest supreme and do away with politics of scoring political points through negative tactics.
He was talking to newsmen after inaugurating a Freight Express Train at Cantt Railways Station here.
To a question about strike call given by opposition parties for September 9, the prime minister said that such tactics cause loss to poor sections of the society.
He said if opposition have any problem , it should raise the same at the forum of National Assembly instead of going to the streets.
“Strikes cause loss to poor people especially daily wagers, rickshaw and taxi drivers; politics must not be done at the cost of poor people,” he said.
To a question about recent meeting between Foreign Ministers of Pakistan and Israel, the Prime Minister said the move can be described as an engagement with an aim to contribute towards solution of the complicated issue of Palestine.
Reiterating government’s stance that the meeting is not a step towards recognition of Israel, the Prime Minister said, “Palestine is a ticklish issue and the whole Ummah should play its role for its solution”.
Clarifying that there is no change in government’s stance over the issue, the Prime Minister said, “If our efforts prove to be of some help in resolution of Palestine issue, it would be a good thing”.
He said there are also violation of human rights in Kashmir and “we want resolution of Kashmir issue through dialogue with India as per aspirations of Kashmir people”.
The Prime Minister hoped that the talks with India for normalization of relations and the confidence building measures taken by the two countries would lead to resolution of all outstanding issues including core issue of Kashmir.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz met the Chief Election Commissioner, Punjab, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi in Lahore this afternoon and held discussions on the third phase of Local Bodies Elections as well as matters pertaining to the party. Federal Minister for Railways Shamim Haider, Federal Minister for Defense Production, Maj (Retd) Habibullah Warriach and Federal Minister for Industries Jahangir Tareen were also present on the occasion.
The Prime Minister expressed the confidence that individual issues relating toLB Elections would be resolved amicably in a sprit of co- operation and understanding. The Prime Minister said that people’s enthusiastic participation in the LB elections reflects that they have faith and trust in the LB System.
It is the desire of the people that there problems should be solved at local level and they wish to see honest, hardworking and dedicated people at the helm of affairs, he added. The Prime minister left for Islamabad after spending a hectic day in Lahore. The Governor, Lt. Gen.(R) Khalid Maqbool, Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and senior government officials, saw him of at the Airport.
Agencies add: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Monday inaugurated the first freight express train between Lahore and Karachi, saying the Railways is backbone of the country’s economy and the government would provide all financial assistance for its improvement and modernization. He said the Railways would be made capable of meeting challenges both in freight and passenger sectors.
No country can make progress without promoting its means of transportation, the Prime Minister said while inaugurating the train at the Cantonment Railway station here. The high speed freight train with larger capacity containers has been introduced by Pakistan Railways by entering into an agreement with Pakistan Railways Advisory and Consultancy Services (PRACS), a public limited company. The Prime Minister said that the inauguration of the train marks an important milestone in the history of Pakistan Railways. He said the train would facilitate importers and exporters and restore their confidence in the Railways.
“Freight service is life line of railways everywhere as revenues are earned through this sector,” he said. The Prime Minister said while government is ready to provide all resources for modernization, the Railways would have to ensure meticulous use of these resources to provide better facilities both in freight as well as passenger sectors.
He said in the fast changing world the status quo cannot be afforded in any sector. “You have to make improvements to provide services to the satisfaction of customers”. “Better freight services ensuring fast, timely and safe delivery of consignments of business concerns will enable Railways to attract freight traffic from road sector”. Shaukat Aziz said that it is an era of modernization, innovation and new ideas with every country trying to provide more and more facilities in every sector of life with the aim of promotion of its economy.