PM urges PPP workers to celebrate victory

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani called upon the party workers and office-bearers of the party to celebrate the victory of Pakistan Peoples Party in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections and 'Provincial Autonomy Day in a befitting manner on July 1. The Prime Minister was chairing a special meeting to discuss the proposals to celebrate the Provincial Autonomy Day and victory of PPP in Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections. The meeting was held at the Prime Ministers House here Wednesday afternoon. He desired that celebrations be held at the district level to promote the partys programme and commitment for the welfare of the people. The Prime Minister said the victory of the party in Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections reflected the confidence of the people in the manifesto of the party and efforts made for the cause of the Kashmiri people. The Government, he added, through its policy of reconciliation and developing consensus was able to take major decisions despite challenges. The development work carried out in all parts of the country, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan was duly recognized by the people and was reflected in the by-elections and now in sweeping victory of the party in Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections. As regards the completion of devolution process in accordance with the 18th Amendment, the Prime Minister said it would lead towards establishing a stable democratic polity in the country. If the provinces were strong than Pakistan and federation would be stronger, he added. The Prime Minister appreciated the efforts of the Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo, the Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the Government of Punjab for ensuring free, fair and transparent elections. Earlier the participants of the meeting gave various proposals to celebrate both the Provincial Autonomy Day on 1st July and victory of the Pakistan Peoples Party in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections. The meeting was attended by Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo, Minister Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Syed Khursheed Ahmad Shah, Minister for Religious Affairs, Dr. Zaheer-ud-Din Babar Awan, Senator, Qamar Zaman Kaira, MNA, Mrs. Faryal Talpur, MNA, Taimur Azmat Osman, Secretary Information and Broadcasting, Muhammad Masood Chishti, Secretary Law and Justice and Muhammad Saleem, Principal Information Officer, PID.