PM Ashraf announces 'special grant' for MPs from KP
08 October, 2012
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has announced a special assistance of Rs 20 million for each member of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly for development projects in their respective constituencies. He also directed the Ministry of Finance for prompt release of the funds. The prime minister made these announcements in a meeting with members of provincial assembly belonging to Pakistan People's Party who called on him at the PM's House here on Sunday. He paid rich tributes to the people, law enforcement agencies and legislators of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for their courageous role in the war against terror. He said that the nation owes much to the sacrifices rendered by them. He assured them that the federal government would extend all possible assistance to the provincial government in its efforts to develop and work for the welfare of people of the province. The prime minister said that the strengthening of democratic institutions and norms in the country owe much to the wisdom, patience and love for Pakistan of President Asif Ali Zardari. The premier noted that President Zardari raised the slogan "Pakistan Khappay" at a time when party chairperson Benazir Bhutto had been assassinated and the country was about to enter a transitional period from dictatorship to democracy, and this will be written in golden words. The prime minister said that politics of reconciliation, promotion of culture of tolerance and strengthening of democratic institutions are policies which the present government pursued since taking over the government. These guiding principles enabled the government to present five budgets and was now preparing for the next general elections, he added. Political stability and continuity are critical for the overall progress and prosperity of the country, said the prime minister. He rejected various sample surveys highlighted in the media and said that such surveys that were based on a few thousand people could not form a valid basis for measuring the popularity of any political party in a country. Those who subscribed to such surveys were now saddened by their lowered ratings, he remarked. The prime minister said that the Pakistan People's Party, "being the only federal-level party", was twice put to test for electing chief executive of the country. Besides, it contested and won several by-elections despite being opposed by the combined opposition. This, he said, was the true test of popularity. Raja said he took pride in being a worker of PPP and assured the KP legislators of his support in their endeavours to solve people's problems. The meeting was attended by Faryal Talpur, Federal Minister for Political Affairs Maula Bakhsh Chandio, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Kiramatullah Khan Chugharmati, Senior Minister Rahim Dad Khan, Provincial Health Minister Syed Zahir Ali Shah, PPP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Anwar Saifullah Khan and MPAs belonging to the Pakistan People's Party. End.
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