Karachi peace top priority

Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has said that peace in Karachi was a government priority and vowed to solve all other problems with the help of allies. The prime minister was speaking to the media following his visit to MQM headquarters Nine Zero and his meeting with Pir Pagara at Kingri House on Monday where he thanked them for the support in his election. Raja reiterated that parliament was supreme and the major problems facing the country were the energy crisis and law and order that he hoped would be solved soon. “The parliament is the mother of all institutions and if all state institutions continue to work within their ambit, there will be no instability in the country,” the prime minister said. Raja added that he would continue his predecessor Yousuf Raza Gilani’s policies formulated in consultation with the allies. To a question about his future, he said “I am here till Allah’s will and wish of the PPP and the allied parties. I got the coveted post because it is Allah’s will and I will stay here till He wills so.” Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said he would do his best to follow the vision of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto and President Asif Ali Zardari and would take along all the allied parties to serve the masses. “We believe in love for all and hatred for none.“ About the last night attack by Afghan militants in Upper Dir that led to the killing of several Pakistani security personnel, he said the government had strongly protested and he would also talk to Afghan President Hamid Karzai about the incident. The PM was welcomed by large gathering of MQM’s workers at Nine Zero, flowers petals were showered on the PM and slogans were raised in the favor of the PM. MQM chief Altaf Hussain, speaking over the telephone during Raja’s visit to Nine Zero, welcomed the new prime minister. He said he was happy that Pervaiz Ashraf was not born with a ‘silver spoon’ but was “also a worker (like him). This has happened for the first time in Pakistan that a worker has become a prime minister”. Defending Raja Pervaiz Ashraf’s tenure as the power minister, Altaf said that Raja was misguided and misled by others but all the blame was put on him. He hoped that the new PM had learnt from past mistakes and in his six months in power, he will put all his capabilities to good use. “He will take such courageous decisions that people won’t have any reservations, but they will rather appreciate him later.” He asked the prime minister to work for the country and not just his party. He advised him to initiate talks in Balochistan to address the law and order situation. “I also want to advise those sitting in the mountains of Balochistan to prepare for talks as this will be beneficial for you as well as the country”. After seeking permission from the prime minister to go off-topic, Altaf said he would like to ask famous astrologist ‘Mamu’ to explain the strange coincidence of coming into power of people who share their names. First it was former president Pervez Musharraf, then the current Chief of Army Staff Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and now the newly elected Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, noted Altaf. Altaf said President Zardari had experienced a tough time during his four and a half years in office and anyone else in his place would have lost hope. “With patience, he accepted all Supreme Court orders. His prime minister, Gilani was disqualified, and with a heavy heart he removed former ambassador to US Husain Haqqani. The Supreme Court also suspended his wife’s membership. Rehman Malik was also suspended from his Senate seat. But the president maintained patience.” “By accepting Gilani’s disqualification, the president had avoided confrontation,” the MQM chief said, adding that army, judiciary and parliament should work within their ambits. “The trend of institutions working outside their jurisdiction is dangerous,” Altaf said. He stressed that individuals who looted the nation should be boycotted, saying this could only happen if democracy is not derailed. He appealed to the opposition not to engage in anti-democracy politics. Altaf called upon the opposition to join hands with the ruling parties to steer the country out of the crisis. On the issue of National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), Altaf Hussain invited all opposition parties to gather at one place and have a debate with him on the issue. “If they beat me over it, I’ll leave politics forever,” he challenged. He added that those holding dual nationalities help in strengthening the country’s economy. During Raja’s visit, MQM central leader Farooq Sattar said that holding of transparent general election is necessary to strengthen democracy in the country. The PM held a meeting with Rabta committee of MQM and discussed the law and order situation of the city. The PM assured the MQM that the federal government would take every possible measure to bring peace in Karachi, adding that the centre was ready to work with MQM to restore peace in the city. Earlier, the PM also visited Kingri House to meet the PML-F chief Pir Sahib Pagara on Monday to personally thank the spiritual leader of Hur Jamaat for his support in his election as prime minister. Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan and Senior Interior Advisor Rehman Malik accompanied the PM to Kingri House and MQM headquarter. The prime minister and Pir Pagara agreed to sustain the ongoing reconciliatory policy in the interest of country and Sindh. Pir Pagara said he would continue alliance of his party with the government which was agreed by his father. Karachi peace top priority, says Raja