No intention to topple Punjab govt: Gilani

MUZAFFARABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday urged the people of Azad Kashmir to vote for candidates of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), which is committed to empower people and protect their rights.

Addressing leaders and workers of the Pakistan People’s Party Azad Kashmir at a convention here, the prime minister pledged the elections will be transparent and fair and people will be free to express their choice.

Gilani was confident that people would support PPP candidates in the upcoming elections in Azad Kashmir.

He said the PPP is the biggest federal party of the country and has its government in Islamabad, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“We respect the mandate of the people in Punjab and have no intention to topple the government in Punjab, as we want to strengthen democracy and national institutions,” Gilani added.

He said the People’s Party was founded on the basis of Kashmir issue as Zulfikar Ali Bhutto raised the slogan that he would fight for the rights of Kashmiris for a thousand years.

Gilani lauded the services and sacrifices of PPP leaders and workers for the promotion of democracy and welfare of people.

The prime minister said Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto were in the forefront in the struggle for democracy and restored rights of the people.

He said the PPP has its roots in democracy and it formed governments through power of the people and not through the back door.

He advised the PPP leadership to shun their personal differences and get united in line with the vision of their leader Benazir Bhutto.

The prime minister reminded that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto did not lay down their lives to become prime ministers but to empower people.

He reiterated the resolve of the Pakistani government to continue moral, diplomatic and political support for the freedom of Kashmir.

Mentioning sacrifices of the Kashmiri people, he said: “The blood of Kashmiris will bear results and the sun of freedom will rise for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”

He said people of Pakistan and Kashmir are bonded in spiritual ties and share a common destiny.

He promised that development activities will be carried out in Azad Kashmir without making any financial cuts and projects of telecommunication, hospitals, colleges, universities and power stations will be completed.

Acknowledging sacrifices of people of Kashmir, he said the government is committed to resolving problems of the people, create jobs, raise living standards and create a vibrant economy.

Gilani said the government would continue implementing policies for the benefits of labourers, farmers and vulnerable sections of society.

He said the PPP is the party which made Pakistan a nuclear power and enhanced its image in the comity of nations.

“We are against terrorism as we do not want law and order situation to deteriorate in Pakistan,” he said adding, “We want to work with the international community against terrorism on the basis of equality and with dignity.”

The prime minister asserted that the sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces, police and paramilitary forces are more than the combined sacrifices of Nato and international forces.

The prime minister announced financial grant for the local press club, saying it will help in making the media strong so it can disseminate information among the people.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Kashmir Affairs Mian Manzoor Wattoo said PPP leaders and workers were making efforts to keep the nation united.