'Exit policy' from SWA, Malakand finalised: PM
By MAQSOOD TIRMIZI November 17, 2009 ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Monday told the National Assembly that the federal government in collaboration with NWFP government has finalised ‘Exit Policy’ from South Waziristan and Malakand Division.
He said that the policy was to take care of post-military operation situation in these areas. “The government took every possible step to control the situation in these areas but when all options were exhausted, we had to launch the military operation against the militants,” Gilani said. He, however, added that the military operation was not a solution to any problem.
He said that the government along with the provincial government has started ‘Damage Assessment Survey’ and ‘Post-crisis Need Assessment’ to carry out administrative, economic, social and cultural initiatives to stabilize situation in the affected areas.
The Prime Minister said that a roadmap has been prepared for reconstruction of Malakand Division and added the world community wanted to support Pakistan for reconstruction in Malakand. “We will make it a model division. We are establishing a ‘Trust Fund’ for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the areas,” Yousuf Raza Gilani said.
Later, brushing aside the allegation of rigging in elections in Gilgit-Baltistan, Minister for Information and Acting Governor Gilgit-Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira said that elections were free and fair and level-playing field was provided to all political parties.
Responding to the point of order raised by Marvi Memon, Kaira said the PPP won eight seats in 2004 when the state machinery was used to win maximum seats. Without naming anyone, Qamar Zaman said that a father of now sitting MNA worked hard against PPP in G-B in 2004.
“When PML-Q will go for a campaign with Musharraf’s portraits rather than their President Shujaat, will people vote for you?,” the Information Minister asked in response to rigging allegation by PML-Q leader and In-charge elections campaign Marvi Memon.
Kaira claimed that the PPP is popular in Gilgit-Baltistan since the days of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who granted rights to the people of the area way back in 1972.
Kaira said that he did not attend any public gathering except one that of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, which he attended as the Acting Governor.
Earlier, taking part in the debate on law and order, Mughees Khan asked that had the government prepared any exit policy from the troubled areas. MNA Akhundzada Chitan, however, said that the writ of the government is restored due to the timely measures.
Fakharun Nisa Khokhar said that improvement in intelligence network was need of the hour while a media campaign should be launch to show the sufferings of victims’ families.
To a calling attention notice by Nosheen Saeed, Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Dr. Attiya Inayatullah and others, Minister for Industries Mian Manzoor Wattoo acknowledged that there was shortage, hoarding and black-marketing of sugar.
Meanwhile, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Zaheeruddin Babar Awan laid before the House the Benazir Income Support Programme Ordinance, 2009.