?He (CM) is just playing with the gallery on both these issues; because the factual position is different altogether?, the Prime Minister remarked while talking to representatives of print media at his DHA residence here.
He was accompanied by his Press Secretary, Akram Shaheedi, as he responded to all queries from journalists in a frank and candid manner; and perhaps, for the first time, took strong exception to the charges levelled against his government by the Chief Minister Punjab.
While responding to the allegations regarding delay in approval of the energy projects, the PM attributed it to bad track record of the PML-N leadership, which, according to him, scared the investors and also put them in jails after ouster of the second the then Benazir government which had allowed Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to generate electricity.
?They were scared, humiliated and put in jails, and in some cases forced to leave the country?, Gilani alleged, adding, that given the bad track record of the previous PML-N government, the bureaucracy in the concerned departments including finance, law and water and power was reluctant to approve Nanthi and Chuchikimallian projects.
The Premier disclosed that after ouster of the second Benazir Government, the new one headed by PML-N prosecuted the investors and forced them to leave the county.
?The Chief Minister Punjab took up the issue with me and I placed it before the Cabinet which approved these projects, and he (CM) later thanked me for my cooperation and I in turn congratulated him for removal of the hurdles?, he observed.
Responding to a question in this context, he noted that it was strange to see Chief Minister Punjab demanding an inquiry over bureaucratic delay in approval of the energy projects.
He insisted that the delay was caused because the bureaucracy in the concerned Ministries was scared to approve the projects due ?their bad record?.
Responding to the second allegation from Punjab government that Punjab was getting less gas compared to other provinces, the PM said that he also belonged to Punjab and was the senior most partner [as Prime Minister} alongwith the Chief Minister in the province, and would not allow any discrimination in this regard.
He, however, explained that according to the Constitution, the government was bound to fulfil the needs of the province where the reserves had been discovered on priority basis. ?If Punjab is getting less gas compared to other provinces it is due to the Constitutional provision which gives first right over use of gas to the province from where it has been discovered?, Gilani stated.
He said that Council of Common Interests (CCI) was the first available forum to settle such issues, but Chief Minister Punjab was reluctant to take the matter in the CCI for fear of ?defeat? because he knew what the Constitutional position was on the issue.
He said that joint sitting of the Parliament was the last forum to resolve inter-provincial issues, but Punjab government was not willing to take up the matters on the available Constitutional forums due to the said reason.
Gilani said Federal government intended to convene an energy conference in the near future which will also be attended by all the Chief Ministers.
When, in the context of Interior Minister Rehman Malik?s statement that government had written a letter to the Chief Justice for setting up of special courts for speedy trial of criminals in Karachi, the PM was quizzed why the government wanted establishment of such courts in the presence of Anti-Terrorism Courts, he replied that he was unaware of any such development.
He was asked then why Rehman Malik wrote a letter to the CJP without consulting the Prime Minister, Gilani said: ?Rehman baba is the only politician in Pakistan who has all the fundamental rights to issue any statement on any issue without consulting the government?.
About Zulfiqar Mirza?s allegations about the Interior Minister, he said that he had received a fax message from Rehman Malik who has suggested Constitution of a judicial commission headed by a Supreme Court Judge to probe all allegations against him.
He said he would examine the suggestion and then take a decision accordingly.
To a question about Mirza?s outbursts against MQM, the PM said that matter was subjudice and it would not be appropriate to comment over it.
Gilani, however, appreciated Zulfiqar Mirza for taking a ?principled stand? before speaking against the party line.
?He (Mirza) had a difference of opinion with the party leadership over initiation of action in Karachi, but unlike some other party men, he resigned from the party office and that of the government before taking a stance quite different from the party position?, the Prime Minister said.
According to him, it was quite democratic if some Minister in the Cabinet differed with rest of his colleagues on certain issue and then resigned as Minister.
He said Zulfiqar Mirza had even announced to quit politics after his decision not to toe the party line on Karachi issue.
The PM disagreed with a questioner that Zulfiqar Mirza?s utterances would have negative impact on party?s popularity, stating that PPP had undergone numerous trials in the past, but was still the single largest majority party in the Parliament.
He said his party had roots in masses and he feared no harm to it in any circumstances. The PM believed that Zulfiqar Mirza could not think of inflicting any damage to the party.
Talking about the Karachi problem, he said that only nine areas had been identified to conduct action against the target killers.
He said he had full faith and trust in police and other law-enforcement agencies currently engaged in tracing the criminals.
?They are performing their duties diligently and without any discrimination?, he asserted, adding, ?they are as loyal with the country as we are?.
A questioner drew Prime Minister?s attention towards a recent statement by Pakistan Army through its spokesperson showing grave concern over Karachi situation and asked if it was proper for the Army to come up with such a statement publicly, and if the GHQ had any reservations about the way action on was being carried out there?.
The PM replied: ?like everybody else in the country, the Army is also concerned about the Karachi situation and it has just shown that concern over the issue?.
He said that that Federal as well as Sindh government including the Army were all on board with regard to the ongoing Karachi action.
?We all are on the same page?, he stressed.
To a question about re-joining of government by the MQM, the Premier said it was ?their free will to decide whether or not they wanted to become part of the government?.
He said PML-N had also left the Federal government on his own will and later parted ways with the PPP in Punjab.
Gilani said PPP-led government never asked any party to leave the coalition government.
To a question, he belied the impression that Federal Minister Khurshid Shah had been assigned the task to woo back the MQM for the first time, pulling back Rehman Malik from the negotiation process.
?He is a soft-spoken politician and had been part of the previous dialogues held with the MQM from time to time?, he observed.
Responding to another question, the PM said that new computerised electoral rolls would be ready by April 2012 and local elections could be held any time after this date.
He rejected PML-N?s demand for early elections, saying, ?You should hold local elections first and then talk of general elections?.
He said that almost all provincial governments had written to the Election Commission in the past that environment was not conducive for elections.
?Now if the environment is not conducive for local elections, how could it be favourable for the general elections?, he asked.
The PM was of the opinion that under the existing situation, no political party would be in a position to form government single-handedly without cooperation of other parties.
To another query, he said that if the people thought that any other party sans PPP could serve them better, they could vote for that party in the coming elections.
The PM, however, said that if the elections were held in a free and fair manner, they would definitely help the PPP win the elections.
?Fair elections have always proved beneficial for the PPP?, he observed.
To a question, he said that all PPP Parliamentarians had been directed to execute 5 per cent of their development schemes through party workers.
When asked about any development on recovery of Shahbaz Taseer, he said he had taken briefings from DG ISI, IB chief and also from the Chief Minister Punjab and a breakthrough in this regard was expected soon.
Talking about floods situation in Sindh, he said that government may seek help from the international community if the situation deteriorated any further in the wake of more rains in the province.
To a question about new province in Punjab, the PM only contended to say that he was with the downtrodden people.
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