Focus on legislation can ensure good governance: PM

ISLAMABAD Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani stressed the need for more focus on legislation to ensure and strengthen good governance in the country. The Prime Minister while talking to the Chief Ministers who called on him in his office at Prime Ministers House Sunday morning prior to the meeting of Council of Common Interests said that the reconciliatory environment created after 2008 elections should be helped to persist as political gamesmanship distracts from focusing on solutions of common mans problems. He further said that the common people were not interested in political wrangling rather expect that elected representatives devote their time and energies for their welfare. Prime Minister said that the forum of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) needed to play a more effective and visible role to resolve issues between federal and provincial governments through mutual consultation and discussions. The Prime Minister said that it was a matter of immense satisfaction for the political leadership of the country that the 18th Constitutional Amendment was unanimously passed with the support of all the political parties in the Parliament. He further said that the 18th Constitutional Amendment was indicative of the wishes of the people of Pakistan and provided greater autonomy to the provinces in managing their resources and ensures delivery of service according to their priorities. Now the provinces through CCI would also be participating in major policy formulation on the issues of national and provincial importance, he added. The Prime Minister said that previously, the Council could take cognisance of complaints by the Provinces, Federal Capital and Federally Administered Tribal Areas in respect of water from any natural source of supply. The Council, he added, could now take care of similar complaints pertaining to the 'reservoirs also. He further said that the provinces in case of any dispute in respect of matters referred in Article 157 of the Constitution could also approach the Council for resolution of their disputes.

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