Govt to initiate self-accountability process: PM

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Thursday, reaffirmed to initiate accountability of his own government to set a new trend. Talking to reporters after addressing the 12th Annual Award ceremony of National Highways and Motorway Police (NH&MP), the Prime Minister said, It is not wise to hold the successive governments alone responsible for their misdeeds. He asserted, instead, the process of accountability should start from the incumbent government and the Prime Minister Secretariat. To a query, Gilani responded there was already a set procedure in function including the Parliament that could hold the ministers accountable before the House and the nation. There are other ways including Calling Attention Notices and Points of Order in the National Assembly besides the Public Account Committees (PAC), which cast a vigilant eye on the ministers, he explained. When asked about reports of the alleged corruption in rental power plants, the Prime Minister said it was a great project going to resolve the major power issue in a short time. Third party validation, seeking the IMF for check and balance in the rental power plants, can be sought in that matter, he suggested. Replying to a question regarding differences between PPP and PML-N on the trial of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, the Prime Minister said both parties had their separate viewpoint on the issue but it could be resolved through mutual consultation. On Balochistan, Gilani said the demand for National Finance Commission (NFC) Award had been fulfilled by its reconstitution with its first meeting (on Thursday). When pointed to the death anniversary of Nawab Bugti passed the other day, the Prime Minister said he and the entire nation had sentiments of grief over it. Gilani rejected the impression that PPP was not interested in continuing local bodies system and categorically added that the party had always been an advocate of politics at grassroots level. He also termed himself as a product of local government. The Prime Minister said the provinces would choose the fate of local bodies, and mentioned that he had forwarded the recommendations by four chief ministers to President Asif Ali Zardari. Earlier, addressing the 12th annual award ceremony of National Highways and Motorway Police, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani ordered to constitute a commission for transformation of soft culture in policing and announced Rs50 million for the construction of National Highway & Motorway Police Headquarters in the Federal Capital. He lauded the performance of Motorway Police and urged to maintain the same standards. He said that the NH&MPs dedication & the spirit of service towards nation was appreciation. Prime Minister also accorded approval for sending 50 officers annually on foreign training, as well. He said that the NH&MP with professional attitude downed the accident rate and crime rate and that is the reason that the people are traveling with safety & security. He also said that the government is committed to provide safety and security to the people of Pakistan. The Prime Minister accepted the proposal of the IG NH&MP Dr. Wasim Kausar for constitution of Commission for Cultural Transformation in traditional policing and ordered to constitute the commission within three weeks and also ordered to take members from all services and public. The Minister of State for Communications Ch Imtiaz Safdar Warriach and Secretary Communications Sharif Ahmed also spoke on the occasion. He told that this force is controlling the 95% traffic of Pakistan. Apart from their duties the officers of this force reunited more than 573 children with their parents and returned hundreds of stolen/snatched vehicles to their owners and arrested numerous gangs in this respect, Dr Wasim said. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on the occasion gave awards to the patrol officers on their outstanding performance.

ePaper - Nawaiwaqt