Gilani defends reshuffle

KARACHI - Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has emphasised the need of having good relations with India based upon equal terms and declared that Pakistan would not allow its soil to be used for terrorism.
The prime minister was talking to journalists after launching the PHA-Maymar, a joint venture housing project under Prime Ministers Housing Programme, at a ceremony held at the Governor House.
He said, We want resumption of dialogue with India because under present circumstances, the terrorists are the beneficiaries.
If there is no bilateral talks, the terrorists will take advantage, Gilani warned.
Replying to a question, the prime minister referred to undemocratic forces saying no speed breakers could stand in front of democracy.
Talking about the big reshuffle in bureaucracy on Friday, Gilani said he had brought changes while keeping efficiency, integrity and quality in view. The prime minister referred to media reports giving an impression as if former chairman Competition Commission Khalid Mirza was removed from the post because he had issued notices to the cement cartel for imposing a fine of Rs 7 billion and that he also spoke about sugar crisis. He pointed out that many posts, for which newspapers were making comments, were either additional charges or were on extension, adding he saluted the officer who had rendered such a service to Pakistan and took bold step in the cement and sugar cases.
He said there were to opinions - one that Khalid was performing his duties on a tenure post with a period of four years and if it was the case he would return back. But there was another opinion that he was posted for the period till further orders, which meant no tenure.
But, as is being highlighted by the press and media, that he was rendering great service to Pakistan and government shifted him under the influence of cement and sugar mafia, Prime Minister Gilani assured that he (Khalid) should continue his work and announced and said he had been granted a one-month extension.
Regarding inflation and price hike, Premier Gilani said a meeting had been convened in Islamabad on Wednesday in which all the chief ministers would participate to discuss the issue of price escalation and other related matters, adding a common strategy would be chalked out for providing relief to the people both at the federal and provincial levels.
When a reporter drew his attention towards his visit to the Head Office of the Karachi Electricity Supply Company (KESC) in the wake of power crisis saying no improvement had been witnessed since then, Gilani pointed out that KESC had been established in 1913 and he was the first Prime Minister who visited its office.
He said only yesterday (Friday) he had stated that there was power crisis and a difficult situation, which had to be resolved.
For this purpose, we are working on war footing and the crisis will be overcome.