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Time to rise above personal differences

* Gilani says it’s ‘time for politicians to deliver’
* Parliamentary body told to review recommendations on PEMRA law amendments

By Zulfiqar Ghuman

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Thursday called on political parties to unite and rise above differences to make parliament supreme and strengthen the country’s institutions.

“We want to strengthen democratic institutions and make parliament supreme for the sake of Pakistan. We also want to improve governance, and for that, we need the help of the opposition,” Gilani said while addressing the National Assembly. The prime minister took the floor of the House to interrupt an argument between the treasury and opposition benches over the beneficiaries of loan waivers and the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).

He said although politicians had won the battle for democracy after a long struggle, some elements were not ready to accept them. He urged politicians to display unity among their ranks.

Time to deliver: Gilani said it was “time for politicians to deliver” because they had no other option. “We, being the parliamentarians, are accountable to people,” he said.

About the demand for a list of NRO beneficiaries, Gilani said if the list was tabled in the House, everybody would be surprised, as “there would be fewer politicians and more of others who benefited from the NRO”.

PEMRA laws: Taking notice of media reports about the government’s intention to introduce curbs on the media, the prime minister directed the Information Ministry not to accept any recommendations proposed by a standing committee dealing with amendments to the PEMRA law. He asked the committee to review its recommendations, as the coalition government did not want any curbs on the freedom of the media. He said the PPP was among those who opposed amendments to the PEMRA law at the time of the imposition of an emergency in 2007. “We cannot, therefore, be thinking of suppressing the freedom of the media or the judiciary.”

About a proposed accountability law, since the opposition had complained that its proposals were not given consideration by the Standing Committee on Law, the committee should review the law.

The prime minister also asked the ministries of parliamentary affairs and interior to withdraw the “Prevention of Electronic Crime Bill”. “I myself have reservations over the bill. It should be referred back to the committee for deliberations,” he said.

He said the nation was not aware of the intensity of the situation in Balochistan.

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