ISLAMABAD  - Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Thursday said the next elections will be held according to schedule and the government will take the opposition into confidence to ensure fair polls.

Speaking at a programme ‘Prime Minister Online’ he said: “It is my dream that our democratically elected government brings about change of power.”
About the Karachi unrest, the Prime Minister said: “We can not afford disturbed situation in Karachi as it is mini Pakistan and its administration needs to be effective and the provincial government should divide it into zones for better security,” he added.
The Prime Minister said transition of power from the democratically elected government to the next elected government should be smooth and it should not be through any unconstitutional manner.
He said, “After all the achievements why should I resign after the budget.” He said after the announcement of the next budget tomorrow, there will be development in the country and it will provide relief to the masses.”
Referring to the criticism of the opposition on the budget, the Prime Minister said, every time the opposition criticized the budget saying that it is just jugglery of the figures. He however assured that there will be concrete and positive measures in the next budget for the welfare of the masses. He said, “We faced challenges and owned responsibility and should not criticize our predecessors.”
To a question about defence budget, the Prime Minister said, “It should be according to the need of the country and the defence budget is even less than the need and requirements due to current situation. “
For increasing the budget for education and health he said it was the responsibility of the provinces. He said it is the prime duty of the government to provide an environment conducive to promote investment that will create jobs. He said the government allocated Rs300 billion for the development and released the whole amount last year adding that this time rupees 360 billion will be allocated for development next year and it will lead to socio economic uplift. On the Balochistan situation, the Prime Minister said he held a meeting the other day that was attended by representatives of law enforcement agencies, provincial government and the province’s problems were discussed.
He said the federal government assured them of providing credible information and assistance and FC will be under the chief minister.
He said, “When we passed resolution for Seraiki Province in accordance with the voice of the people, the Punjab Assembly also passed resolution and now the Punjab government is threatened by this move so some elements are creating problem and that is an intrigue against the resolution.” About the fifth budget, he said if the opposition wasn’t interested in it then whey there are interested in politics as politics means betterment of the people by presenting budgets.
He said, “It will be first democratic government that will present the fifth budget. We may have many weaknesses, but we had many successes.’
Answering a question, he said, Seraiki province will be established before the next election. Replying to a question, the Prime Minister said, “I understand that after the decision of the Speaker there is no need for any appeal.” He said, “Parliament is the supreme institution and it has its own domain, and all the institutions derive the power from the parliament and after her decision the matter is over.”
The Prime Minister said the ruling of the speaker is in accordance with the constitution and as the matter was referred to her by the Supreme Court and she decided according to the constitution and now the matter is over and the opposition is wasting their time in the courts.
“We respect the courts, but evenly we respect the parliament and speaker’s ruling and decision is not an ordinary thing and it is according to the constitution and the decision should not have been challenged,” he added.
He urged the politicians to fight their issues outside the courts among the people. He said, “I do not consider PTI a force.”
The Prime Minister said the courts should be impartial in his opinion as the government has restored the constitution and empowered all the institutions including the judiciary.