Country, democracy need timely general elections: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said on Tuesday that the country and the democracy needed timely conduct of general elections. Speaking to a private TV channel on Tuesday, he said that his office requires taking difficult decisions and there were huge responsibilities. “It’s been some 30 years in Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Nawaz Sharif has been my leader since the day one,” he said. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, however, said he was the premier and all powers rested with him. “Decisions are made by the cabinet; Nawaz handed over powers. He seeks results.” The prime minister further said there was no threat to Senate elections and they would be held on due time. “All political parties want the democratic process to continue.” He said that he did not believe in conspiracies. However, he said that unfortunately conspiracies had been hatched against democracy in the state. “If my party asks me to dissolve the assembly, I will. But will not do so under pressure from someone,” Abbasi said. Responding to Indian propaganda against China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said that New Delhi had been waging a propaganda war against the multi-billion dollar project from the very beginning. “Gwadar is a commercial port and it is being used for commercial purposes.” Speaking about the Pakistan-US relations, the prime minister said that the dialogue process between the two nations was ongoing at every level. “A US delegation visited Pakistan, while a delegation from here also visited the United States.” He said that a dialogue with the US military was still ongoing, despite the Trump statement. “We are a sovereign state and do not want any act to occur that could deteriorate the regional situation,” Abbasi said, adding, “We are bound to safeguard our borders.” Separately, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Tuesday said best practices and past experiences should be utilised while formulating indigenous solution to the graduation plan for Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). Chairing a briefing on graduation plan for BISP beneficiaries at Prime Minister’s Office, he appreciated the effort of the BISP team and observed that a comprehensive plan, taking into account all factors, should be put in place for ensuring sustainability and impact. BISP Chairperson Marvi Memon, Secretary Omer Hameed Khan and senior officers were present during the meeting. The prime minister was briefed about the graduation strategy that was being formulated with an aim to permanently extract BISP beneficiaries from poverty trap through increasing their household income, enhancement of skills and human capital and promote long term welfare. He was informed that international best practices and working solutions were being followed for enabling the cash grant recipients to eventually transform into income earning individuals through self-employment and wage employment. The BISP secretary gave a detailed briefing on various models that would be followed, including business incubation and assets transfer for self-employment, direct cash for start-up business with business coaching and public work programmes for creating income and addressing environmental poverty. He also briefed the prime minister about over all coverage and financial assistance that would provided to the beneficiaries during various phases of the programme. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Tuesday said provision of basic facilities like education, health, creation of employment opportunities were priorities of the government. The prime minister was talking to two separate delegations of the students belonging to Sindh Madressatul Islam, Government schools Lower Topa, Lawrence College, Silkhatar and Islamabad Model School for Girls that called on him at Prime Minister’s Office. The prime minister said education held the key to development of society and it was only through education that the youth could be equipped with tools to take on challenges of life and contribute, according to their potential towards development of society. Published in Daily Times, January 17th 2018.