SANA

ISLAMABAD (SANA): Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has urged all political parties to joint hands for supremacy of the parliament and building of the institutions.

Speaking in the National Assembly Thursday, he asked parliamentarians to come out with sound and solid proposals for improving governance and the Government would amenable to consider them.

He said the politicians have to prove that they are capable of the confidence that has been reposed in them. Otherwise, he questioned what alternative we have?

The Prime Minister said by leveling unsubstantiated allegations against each other, politicians are conveying the impression as if only they are corrupt and all others are innocent. He said if a list of NRO beneficiaries is presented in the house, it would reveal names other than politicians that would surprise every one.

He said as the leader of the opposition had complained that their proposals were not given any importance by the Standing Committee on Law during consideration of the proposed accountability law, the Committee should review the law. He said the opposition should also be taken on board on the bill in the spirit of Charter of Democracy.

The Prime Minister referred to the demand for expeditious abolition of the 17th amendment and article-58/2-B of the constitution and said the Government has already declared that it is for their abolition. He said a constitutional reforms committee is already seized with the matter and it is for its members to expedite the process.

Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said a comprehensive Balochistan package would be presented in the joint sitting of the parliament aimed at addressing the sense of deprivation of the province.

The Prime Minister also asked the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Interior to withdraw the “Prevention of Electronic Crime Bill”, which was on the agenda of the house today. Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said he himself has reservations about the bill and said it should be referred back to the Committee concerned for further deliberations. He also desired that the bill should be publicized for eliciting public opinion.

He said the journalistic community has concerns about recommendations proposed by the Standing Committee concerned on amendments in PEMRA law. He asked the committee to review the recommendations as the coalition Government does not want to place any curbs on freedom of media. The Prime Minister said the PPP and he himself were on the forefront to oppose the draconian amendments in PEMRA law at the time of imposition of emergency on November 3, 2007 and therefore, they cannot think of suppressing freedom of media or judiciary.

Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat appreciated the goodwill gestures of the Prime Minister and said the opposition would extend every possible cooperation in addressing the issue of corruption and ensuring good governance. They, however, urged that the Committees should come out with some solid results.