Budget to be prepared after parties' consultation: Prime Minister

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that the budget for next fiscal year would be prepared after consultation with all political parties. Talking to media here on Sunday after addressing the Pakistan Energy Conference as chief guest, he said that he has already directed Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh to carry out consultations with the political parties.
He said that increase in petroleum prices was a global phenomenon and the issue of giving subsidy on petroleum products would be taken up with all political parties in the next budget. He claimed that the government has so far given Rs 35 billion subsidy on petroleum prices.
About adulteration in diesel products, he admitted that not only in diesel but adulteration was done in many other things and affective legislation was required to discourage this practice. When asked about his meetings with Nawaz Sharif and Altaf Hussain, he said that all political parties are sincere in steering the country out of the prevailing economic challenges.
He said that measures taken by the government for the farmers have brought about prosperity in rural areas. Regarding the ongoing dispute over devolution of Higher Education Commission to the provinces, the Prime Minister said that there is a solution to every issue, and no one needed to be worried about it. He said that difference of opinion in parliamentary system is a beauty of democracy and all issues can be resolved through dialogue.
About devolution of curricula and culture to the provinces, he said that the government was looking into these issues and would take them to the parliament for their resolution. The Prime Minister said that he would be meeting President Asif Ali Zardari later in the night.
About statements of Zulifqar Mirza regarding causes of his removal and Karachi situation, Gilani termed the statements as his personal opinion and not the party's policy. He said that party policy is very clear that the government wants to take along its coalition partners.