PM for uniform LBs system

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that he did not think PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz
Sharif would become part of any attempt to derail the democratic process in the country and quickly added that
both PPP and PML-N were agreed on bare minimum agenda of not harming the democratic process under
Charter of Democracy (CoD).
Responding to media questions here at Margalla Railway Station after attending a ceremony, Prime Minister
Gilani said, I dont think PML-N Quaid Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is thinking to derail the democratic
process in the country.
He, however, admitted that PPP and PML-N were two different political parties, with their own manifestos and
political ideologies, but added that both the parties were committed to a bare minimum agenda of harnessing
political institutions and work for a strong democracy in the country.
To a question about constitutional reforms, Premier Gilani urged the nation to believe that government would
undo 17th Amendment, Article 58(2)b and other contentious clauses from the Constitution. We should wait, at
least till the time the reforms committee accomplishes its task, he observed.
To another question in this regard, Gilani said that the government was committed to implement Charter of
Democracy and would take forward the agenda of reconciliation.
To another question, the Prime Minister said that PPP could neither give any direction to the committee nor
impose any time frame for accomplishing the task.
He further said that the job of the leadership was to give direction to the nation and they were not supposed to
take direction but if anyone had some better suggestions then his party was ready to consider them, the Premier
added.
When asked about Balochistan, he said, We have also set up a committee to resolve Balochistan issue. PPP
Senior leader Mian Raza Rabbani has been elected as Chairman of Committee, the Premier said, adding,
APC will be called over Balochistan issue but after taking everyone onboard.
Commenting on reshuffling in Federal Cabinet, he said, I want to tell one thing there is no one perfect in the
world. A cabinet has been set up and no one can interfere in their affairs, he said. When asked about carbon
tax, he said, when the financial affairs committee returns back after holding talks with IMF then we will make
them sit and respond to the media queries.
Answering a question, he said that local bodies was the domain of the provinces and it was up to the provinces
to either go for installation of administrators on completion of their stipulated constitutional term.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani made it clear that provinces would decide the fate of the local bodies
and the elections were postponed on the recommendation of the chief ministers.
Provincial ministers approached me and told me you are talking about provincial autonomy on one the hand
while on the other local bodies system is still under the control of centre but now as its duration is going to expire,
the system would be under the control of the provincial governments, he maintained.
Answering another question, he said, it was his desire to build consensus over the system and a uniform system
should be implemented in all the provinces.
Some people have recommended to the government to hold local bodies elections immediately, however, this
is not up to me to decide but the chief ministers are to decide the matter, he said. After getting recommendation
from the provinces, he said, he had told the President not to hold local bodies elections. He said he had only
asked the President to consider what provinces desire.