PPP to consult allies on PM’s appearance

The Core Committee of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Friday decided to consult the heads of coalition parties of the government on the appearance of Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf before the Supreme Court on August 27. The meeting was jointly presided over by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf. According to sources, the meeting decided that the final decision on this issue could only be taken after the consultation with coalition partners. The sources said Law Minister Farooq H Naek gave a detailed briefing on legal aspects of the Supreme Court’s directive to the prime minister to appear before the court on Monday. “There was an opinion in the meeting that as per constitution the prime minister is not bound to appear in court on his official conduct. The majority of ministers present in the meeting were agreed with the legal team of the government,” they added. The sources said the meeting of the coalition partners would be summoned today (Saturday) or on Sunday. Meanwhile, a press release issued by the PID says President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf presided over a meeting of ministers and senior leaders of the PPP here at the presidency. Briefing about the meeting, Presidential Spokesman Senator Farhatullah Babar said the meeting discussed current political situation in the country. “The law and order situation in the country, floods and energy situation were also discussed,” he added. The spokesman said Prime Minister Raja and Ahmed Mukhtar briefed the meeting on the energy situation and the progress on various measures being taken to overcome the power shortage in the country. Interior Minister Rehman Malik briefed the meeting about the law and order situation in the country and various measures that were taken to ensure security during Eid. Rana Mohammad Farooq Saeed Khan, minister for climatic change, briefed about the floods situation in the country. Babar said the meeting also reviewed reports about the grievances of the Hindus and the incidents of discrimination against the minorities. He said the meeting resolved that minorities would not be allowed to be discriminated against and they would be provided full protection of law. The spokesman said the president, while expressing deep concern and sorrow over the recent loss of lives and property in the northern and other parts of the country, called for gearing up floods preparations and also called for closely monitoring of the situation. He said in view of predictions of heavy rains and floods, there was an urgent need for greater coordination between federal and provincial authorities to avert any unpleasant situation. He advised the federal government to provide all possible support to the provincial governments to take precautionary measures and to provide relief to those people who have been affected by the rains.