LAHORE - Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has congratulated the provincial legislators of Pakistan People’s Party and its coalition partners in Punjab for upholding “the best parliamentary practices” during the budget speech on Saturday.

Talking to this news agency, the Prime Minister said that the conduct of PPP’s provincial legislators was in marked contrast to what PML-N did in the National Assembly during the budget speech of the Federal Finance Minister on June 1.
The Prime Minister advised the provincial legislators in the Punjab Assembly take part in the budget debate in a constructive manner as their voters in their respective constituencies expected them to ensure their effective representation at the legislative forums.
Gilani said the speeches of the PPP legislators in the Punjab Assembly should promote vision of PPP’s manifesto. The Prime Minister said that hooliganism and un-parliamentary behaviour demonstrated by the main opposition party cut the roots of democracy for which the people of Pakistan had rendered innumerable sacrifices, adding that they would reject those who resort to undermine the symbol of their empowerment.The Prime Minister urged the PML-N leadership not to let “its political frustration and fear overtake them and instead focus on winning public support. The Prime Minister said obsession of PML-N leadership with grabbing power at any cost was self-defeating and indeed mockery of Charter of Democracy in which it committed itself to adhere to principles of democracy and not to stand by undemocratic forces.
Replying to a question about upcoming talks between Defence Secretaries of India and Pakistan on the Siachen issue, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan craved for resolution of all outstanding issues between the two states through dialogue and peaceful means. He said that Pakistan expected positive outcome of talks on the Siachen issue.
The Prime Minister welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court regarding submission of accounts of expenses by the contesting candidates, use of transport, and the checking of voters’ list by the Army and the FC.  He said that the Supreme Court’s judgment was in line with the policy of the government. 
The Prime Minister said his party had been a victim of electoral manipulations in the past and was committed to plugging the loopholes through effective institutional arrangements.