ISLAMABAD - President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the government is moving in right direction to address the problems of the people of Balochistan through dialogue and constitutional means. Addressing the members of the Youth Parliament at the Presidency on Saturday afternoon, the President said that a parliamentary committee had already been formed for reforms in the Constitution and to look into the issues like provincial autonomy and the concurrent list. He said that the people of Balochistan were ignored in the past and the PPP government apologised them despite the fact that We were not responsible for the past wrong doings. The President said the process of dialogue had been initiated with all stakeholders. He said Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani also raised the issue of foreign interference in Balochistan with his Indian counterpart during meeting at Sharam El-Sheikh. Responding to a question about violation of Indus Basin Water Treaty by India, the President said he raised the issue with the Indian Prime Minister during their first meeting. He said the government was conscious of this very grave issue of water shortage and taking steps for its conservation. He said a special assistant to prime minister on water had been appointed which reflected the significance that the government attached to the issue. The President also emphasised on the importance of water conservation and said the modern ways and technologies of irrigation should be utilised for conservation of precious water resources. He also highlighted the importance of increasing per acre yield of various agricultural crops and optimising the production of sugarcane to produce ethanol fuel. He added the government was seeking Chinese help and expertise for enhancing per acre yield of wheat, rice, cotton and other agricultural crops. About energy crisis, President said the government had a long-term strategic vision to tackle the problem. He said small and big dams at different locations could generate up to 60,000 megawatts of electricity and negotiations for 20,000 megawatt capacity were already underway. He said the power generation remained in the public sector and it was the PPP government in 1993-96 that involved the private sector and made the country surplus in power. To a question on how to get rid of dependence on foreign aid, the President said Pakistans geographic location could make it a hub for regional trade and energy corridors. He said that gas and oil pipelines from Persian Gulf could be extended to the large market of China. Similarly, by focusing on trade, we can ensure self-reliance, he added. He said Pakistan also had the potential to achieve self-sufficiency in food and provide it to the region. The President welcomed the concept of Youth Parliament and said it would help prepare the young generation to take up national responsibilities. He said the present generation was better placed to achieve new heights for themselves and the country because of communication and information revolution. President Zardari said Pakistanis were a great nation and this was proved, once again, during recent human crisis of internally displaced persons when people volunteered to provide every possible assistance to them. Deputy Speaker of National Assembly, Faisal Karim Kundi, who also conducted the proceedings, briefed the President about the concept of Youth Parliament, the process of selection of its members and its working. Chairman Senate Farooq H Naek, Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Babar Awan, Minister for Youth Affairs, Shahid Hussain Bhutto, MNA Farahnaz Ispahani, Secretary General to President, Salman Faruqi, and other senior officials were also present on the occasion. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday said the government was tackling global recession, terrorism and energy crisis through a series of effective measures. Addressing the young parliamentarians here at the PM House, the Prime Minister asked them to come up with fresh and unbiased views to help the government in confronting these issues. The youth parliament is selected through open competition annually on a representative pattern of the National Assembly and has a six member cabinet, and shadow cabinet. Health and education are closest to my heart, Gilani told the group of around 60 parliamentarians, aged from 18 to 29, who are learning how they can play a role in bringing about a meaningful change for their country. The Prime Minister who had come a long way as a politician said he began his career from the grass roots level as a member of the District Council and step- by-step he reached the countrys top office. He said a new youth policy was on the anvil that would focus on providing vocational training, besides a stipend of Rs 10,000. He said the issue of removing ban on student union activities was also under consideration so that the youth were empowered and be able to take decisions, while conforming to certain rules and regulations. Prime Minister Gilani urged the young Pakistanis from the four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Northern Areas to seek specialization in a field of their choice. We face problems whenever we need to appoint someone for a specialised task, he pointed out and said a parliamentarian with expertise in certain areas could be an asset for the country. Gilani briefed the young parliamentarians comprising members of a relatively liberal blue party and a conservative green party, about his experiences in the field of politics. The national interests must be kept supreme at all costs, he advised them and stressed that at his position it was important that right person for the right job is appointed. He said parliament was the voice of the people and should comprise parties that stood by their manifestos, which in turn reflected the aspirations of the people of Pakistan. Gilani said an independent media, an active judiciary and a strong Opposition could help the government work effectively. He also asked the youth to discuss Pakistans relations with its neighbours and the issue of terrorism and give the government their suggestions. The Prime Minister later mixed with the young students over tea, who enthusiastically asked about the problems he faced in running the government and how he planned to tackle the numerous problems the country was facing. Gilani also had a photo with the group that was led by Faisal Karim Kundi, Deputy Speaker National Assembly.