PM to chair NDMC meeting today

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani would chair the National Disaster Management Commission’s meeting here at the PM Secretariat on Thursday to review the flood situation and asses the needs as well as availability of resources.The Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Leader of Opposition in Senate Waseem Sajjad, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, all the four Chief Ministers, Prime Minister AJK, Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, the three Services Chiefs and some Representatives of Civil Society have been invited to attend the meeting.

The Federal Ministers who would participate in the meeting include Ministers for Communication, Defence, Finance, Foreign Affairs, Health, Interior, Social Welfare and Special Education, Information and Broadcasting, Water and Power, Food and Agriculture.

Share

National policy on terrorism after political consultation: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Thursday told Senate that the government would shortly devise a national policy on terrorism after consultation with all political forces.

“We will do our homework first. We will meet political leaders separately to make the policy of national level,” the prime minister told the House responding to the points raised Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz member Raja Zafarul Haq.

He said PML-N leader Mian Nawaz Sharif had also discussed incidents of terrorism in Balochistan, Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa and target killings in Karachi and suggested national conference to devise a strategy for country’s deliverance from this menace.

“This is not sole responsibility of a single party or the government. This is for the country. Terrorism is hitting national economy, besides other losses to society and infrastructure,” Gilani said.

Criticising the United Kingdom prime minister’s statement against Pakistan while being in India, the prime minister said the combined forces of NATO could not bring peace in Afghanistan and the sacrifices rendered by them are far lesser than those of Pakistan’s armed forces personnel.

“They should assist for capacity building of our law enforcement agencies. Such a criticism would cast negative impact on war on terror,” said the prime minister.

Earlier, Raja Zafarul Haq stressed the need for national strategy to counter terrorism and added that terrorism policy should be reviewed.

Share

Gilani extends Kayani’s tenure by three years

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Thursday announced an extension of three years in the service of Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, to ensure continuity in the military operations against extremists and terrorists.

Ending months of speculation, the prime minister in an address to the nation announced the extension. The army chief who, owing to his policy of strict impartiality has won respect for the country’s armed forces is at the forefront in the ongoing war against extremism.

Under his command the Pakistan army has led successful operations in Swat, Malakand and different tribal agencies.

General Kayani who succeeded Gen Musharraf as Pakistan’s 14th army chief on November 29, 2007, is a recepient of Hilal-i-Imtiaz and Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) for his meritorious services.

He served at various levels of command including his stint as Director General Inter Services Intelligence.

Besides being Chief of Staff Corps, General Kayani has also held the coveted post of Director General Military Operations.

Share