Kashmir issue resolution key to Pak-India CBM success: Gilani

Islamabad, Mar.30 : Pakistan Prime Minister Makhdoom Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the success of the confidence building measures introduced jointly by his country and India since 2004 would be dependent on the resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

Spelling out his coalition government's foreign policy in the National Assembly on Saturday, Gilani said: "The CBMs will only be beneficial when the Kashmir issue is resolved according to the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and under the set international principles."

He assured the Kashmiri brethren that their sacrifices would not be wasted and emphasized that the dialogue process with New Delhi would be accelerated to resolve the issue.

"We will promote brotherhood and peace with neighboring countries," he maintained.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan believed in a policy of live and let live with peace, coexistence and tranquility and intended to have better relationship with all nations with dignity and honour on the basis of reciprocal equality.

While indicating a further enhancement of relations with the United States and the Europe, Gilani declared China a time-tested friend.

"The Pakistan-China friendship is deeper than the oceans and higher than the Himalayas. Pakistan would further strengthen its deep rooted ties with China," he said.

Gilani said Pakistan wanted a peaceful and developing Afghanistan and would make all out efforts to restore peace there as it was in his country's interest.

Other significant issues taken up during his speech included announcement of the withdrawal of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Ordinance of November 3, 2007, Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) in FATA, a 40 per cent reduction in the budget of the Prime Minister's House, an end to VIP privileges that were deemed unnecessary, no unnecessary lighting on public buildings on festivities and no money would be spent on the renovation of government buildings and residences and no ban on trade and student unions.

He also said that concurrent list would be abolished in a year and announced the raising of the support price of wheat from Rs.510 per 40 Kg to Rs.625 per 40 kg.

He also announced formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to alleviate the alienation of various segments of society.

Gilani promised to restore the deposed judges and ensure independence of the judiciary according to the Charter of Democracy and the Murree Declaration.

He also lauded Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani's decision to withdraw Army officers from the civilian institutions, saying it would boost the image of the armed forces.

He said that every institution must work in its prescribed parameters and it was the people who had the right to govern the country.

Gilani said there was a need for coordinated reforms for the development of tribal areas. He said to overcome terrorist activities there the government would announce a special package for the socio-economic development of these areas.

He said the government would not tolerate unjustified division of resources and take all measures to provide equal opportunities to the people for their progress and prosperity.

ANI