Ballot to decide Country’s destiny, says Premier
Staff Report/APP

ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Sunday said the people of Pakistan will decide their future leaders through ballot and elect those who will ensure a bright future of the country.
Talking to a delegation of Pakistan Muslim League Islamabad and Youth Wing here at the PM House, the Prime Minister said the people of Pakistan will never compromise on their ideology, national integrity and sovereignty. He said the people are conscientious and know very well who can best serve them, in the most critical and challenging phase of the country.
The Prime Minister said the Pakistan Muslim League and its allies have a comfortable majority for President General Pervez Musharraf’s re-election. He said President Musharraf’s re-election was vital to meet the challenges the country and the Ummah were facing. He said the continuity and consistency of the economic policies would ensure development of all vital sectors and the benefits would trickle down to the lowest tiers of the society.
He said under the prevailing circumstances, it was vital that the electoral process is held peacefully. He said no person was above law and the political leaders abroad should not take any step to create law and order situation in the country. The Prime Minister said the government was in contact with all the political parties and their leaders with the sole objective of strengthening the country.
He said after the general elections, there was a need for having a political reconciliation so that an understanding is developed on national issues. He said the government of PML and its allies has always kept the national interests supreme and has never ever compromised, which is a source of strength for it.
The Prime Minister said for the first time the country’s parliament will complete its term and convey a strong impact to the global community about the vibrant democratic system that has now been put in place. He said Pakistan was a soverign country and would never allow that any outsider decides about its future. He termed the country citadel of Islam and said it desires peace, understanding and good relations with all its neighbours.
The Prime Minister pointed at the threats of extremism and terrorism as big challenges and said it was not only bringing a bad name to the country but also to their religion Islam. He stressed the need for proper projection of the true message of Islam that spoke of tolerance and understanding.
The Prime Minister said it was his government’s objective that all pillars of the State work together in unison for a better future for the people of Pakistan. He pointed out the areas where significant progress has been made by the government and said there were some areas where more needs to be done.
The Prime Minsiter also referred to the role of the country’s Armed Forces and said they were always the first to reach out for help and assistance whenever there was any natural calamity. He mentioned the measures taken to elevate the status of women and said giving the women their rights does not imply westernisation. He said the women in Islam always stood by their men in every challenging period and worked along them in all fields.
The delegation discussed with the Prime Minister the strategy for the Presidential election and the general election and said the party has been activated at all levels to ensure success. They also mentioned the demands of the people of G-6 sector in Islamabad.
The Prime Minister said the government was working on a plan to construct multi-storied apartments to replace the dilapidated quarters of the sector. He said priority would be given to those who have been living their for long, however added that modalities were being worked out for a comprehensive plan to ease the sufferings of the government servants and to give them accommodation on ownership basis.
The Prime Minister said to keep the prices in control during Ramazan, the government has activated the price magistrates, ensured excessive supply in the open market and increased the number of utility stores. The present Government took special initiatives for the welfare of low income section of the society. The Bait-ul-Maal established for the purpose is also doing a useful job.