Completion of govt’s term ‘historic moment’: Raja
Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said on Wednesday that the completion of term by a democratic government is an historic moment. Addressing the farewell meeting of the Federal cabinet in Islamabad on Wednesday, PM said today is an important day in the history of Pakistan‚ as the democratic government is completing its tenure.
Raja Pervez Ashraf said we are now heading towards elections and pledged the government’s strong conviction that free fair and transparent elections are essential for democracy‚ security and development of the country.
He said only the elected representatives can set appropriate direction for the country that is economically sustainable‚ socially and politically acceptable. He said the government is working on multiple fronts to achieve energy security for the country. The government has‚ therefore‚ formally kicked off the long awaited 7.5 billion dollars Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline Project aimed at addressing the energy crisis in Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said the government has taken the opposition into confidence regarding the appointment of caretaker prime minister. He said the caretaker Prime Minister will be appointed by mutual consultation. Raja Pervez Ashraf expressing his sadness at the unfortunate incident of criminal assault on the Christian colony in Lahore said Christians are equal citizens of the land and must be given complete protection.
He said Christian brothers and sisters that their losses of properties would be made good jointly by the Federal and Provincial Governments. He further assured that the culprits‚ responsible for this inhuman act will get exemplary punishment.
He said Islam teaches tolerance and assures protection of life and property of all its citizens without discrimination. He requested the Ulema to help the Government in promoting religious harmony and elimination of intolerance. Such acts of violence convey wrong signals that depict a negative image of our society before the international community.
The Cabinet expresses its solidarity with Christians and all minorities as a mark of respect towards them. Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has said that the democratic government is constantly fighting war on terror and the terrorists would not be allowed to implement their agenda. He said the democratic government has the full support of the all segments of the society in this war. The Prime Minister said but still we have to do a lot to eliminate this menace from the society. He said the fearful terrorists have now started targeting the innocent citizens.
Raja Pervez Ashraf condemned the acts of terrorism in Karachi and Peshawar in which precious human lives were lost. He thanked the provincial governments‚ Pakistan army and law enforcement agencies for their cooperation with the government for the last 5 years.