Present parliament sets new record of completing term
Bureau Report

LAHORE—Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has said that the present parliament in the country has set a new record of its term of working. Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, he said “The parliaments in past could not serve for a period longer than the period served by present one and it is a record in political history of the country”, he elaborated.
The country got political stability in this period due to the continuity of the parliament,he said and added its credit goes to the Party and specially to President General Musharraf who played a key role in this regard. Reiterating that the next general elections will be held in the year 2007, the minister said that Pakistan Muslim league will intensify its preparations for the elections.
To another question, he said there has always been difference of opinion in the party on different issues which, he added, helps the leadership to move towards betterment. “The year 2007 will be an year of great importance when the nation would go to polls, he viewed. He said progress on different issues depends on Indian response. He expressed the hope that India would avail the opportunity of improvement in its relations with Pakistan, which President General Musharraf has created due to his bold initiatives and forward looking approach.
Sheikh Rashid said Pakistan is an important country and its geo-political importance cannot be undermined by any country. To a question, about defence deals, he said the country is facing the massive challenge of the earthquake adding the defence needs cannot be ignored. He said that donors’ conference was a success and the impression being created by certain groups against its achievement is based on incorrect assumptions.
He said the country got pledges of soft term loans in the donors’ conference and added such loans will not be burden on the country as the same are for a long term. Sheikh Rashid said that the country got much assistance under the present circumstances when the world is passing through a period of calamities and disasters.
He reiterated that the funds would be used on rehabilitation and reconstruction of earth-quake affected areas in a transparent manner.