PM hints at foreign hand in GB violence

GILGIT (APP) - Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday did not rule out the involvement of foreign hand in the recent incidents of violence in Gilgit-Baltistan, saying the area is generally peaceful with no issues of terrorism and law and order.
Addressing a press conference winding up his two-day official visit to the countrys serene north, the PM said the area was inherently peaceful where the people of all sects lived in harmony. He said 90 percent of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan wanted peace in the area and the local ulema had assured to play their role in this regard.
Gilani directed Qamar Zaman Kaira, Acting Governor Gilgit Baltistan to set up an inter-faith harmony committee and asked the Inspector General to put a ban on the display of weapons, so as to ensure that no such incidents occur in future.
On Kashmir issue, the PM said composite dialogue with India was the only way forward for the resolution of all outstanding issues.
Parliament is supreme and we are ready to discuss any issue at this forum. However, he said it was too early to discuss the Bill since it is yet to be passed by the US Congress.
On drone attacks, the PM termed it 'counterproductive'.
The PM directed to fill 5,000 vacant posts of police force in Gilgit-Baltistan. PM gave no timeframe for the upgradation of Gilgit and Skardu airports, which has been a long-standing demand by the locals to promote tourism in the area. About development package for Balochistan, the PM said it had been prepared on constitutional, economic and administrative basis.
We have taken all stakeholders onboard on Balochistan package, he said, adding that the date of presentation would be decided after his meeting with PML-Ns Nawaz and PML-Qs Shujaat Hussain. He said there was a consensus to table it in the joint sitting of the parliament.
On petition by the Sharif brothers for not holding by-election in Punjab, the PM confirmed there was information by agencies regarding security threats. He said as the matter was sub-judice, the judiciary was independent to decide about the issue.
Replying to a question, Gilani said the government firmly believes in the freedom of Press and has adopted effective measures in this regard.
All laws contrary to press freedom have been abolished so that a free and independent media could play its role without any restriction, he added.
Acting Governor Qamar Zaman Kaira said the government had planned to set up a regional grid of electricity in the region, which would be later connected to the national grid. He said the potential of electricity generation in the area was 40,000MW.
He said a committee was negotiating with the affectees of Diamer-Bhasha dam and would also resolve the issue of demarcation.
Chief Secretary Babar Yaqub Fateh Muhammad said three mega projects were planned for Gilgit Baltistan. He said 70-80 percent of electricity needs were fulfilled by the local production, however he pointed the issue of capacity building of the staff. He said Karakorum Highway would be improved by year 2011, which would help enhance economic activity in Gilgit Baltistan.
Earlier, while talking to a PPP members delegation that called on the PM, he stressed upon the need to shunning sectarianism in the country adding that political maturity could help calm such rifts among the cross-section of people.
He said sectarianism should not be fanned at any cost and urged the party members to play their role in developing peaceful situation in the area through political maturity.
We should rise above caste, sect and creed and only follow the objectives of democracy, he said adding, democracy gives assurance of freedom to practice any religion or sect. Gilani also mentioned that Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto always issued party tickets to the members regardless of sectarian basis. He said similar pattern would be followed while issuing tickets to the PPP members for the upcoming polls in Gilgit-Baltistan.
He said strength and cohesion within the party could help control any differences and asked the members to try to resolve their issues at party forum.
The PM said partys parliamentary board under the chair of Asif Ali Zardari after he returns to country, would decide about issuing tickets to the PPP candidates. My priority is to discipline the party, which can run with leadership and consensus, he added. He also stressed the need for training of party members and rejected the idea of conducting training under external influence that could be misused in pursuing the foreign agenda.
He mentioned a model in Germany, where funds for training are allocated for the political parties in proportion to their seats won in the parliament.
We are considering to adopt the same method of budget allocation for training of all parties whether PPP or PML-N, he said. The PM said he would direct the party leaders to visit Gilgit-Baltistan and give lectures to the party members in order to train them on various matters.