Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday said general election would take place in March next year and the present government would complete its five-year term by presenting five budgets. He claimed the present coalition government would form the next setup. "I see election in March," he said.
He termed the US congress debate on Balochistan issue a move against Pakistan's sovereignty. After opening Karachi Port Trust (KPT) reconstructed berths 15 to 17A at East Wharf, the prime minister said the Nato supplies were still suspended, arguing that the decision to disallow all kinds of transportation to the embattled forces in Afghanistan had been taken in the national interest.
"No one is needed to worry about the Nato supplies halt," he said in response to a question after his formal speech, adding that the decision to get the Shamsi airbase vacated and abstain from attending the Bonn Conference on Afghanistan moot were the decisions taken in the national interest. About the Pakistani doctor, Shakeel Afridi, he said, his case would be decided in accordance with the state laws, adding that Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project would be carried out despite external pressures.
He also announced a 'son quota scheme' for KPT employees and a one-month bonus salary. He congratulated the KPT, Port Qasim Authority, and PNSC for generating a Rs 18 billion surplus revenue. Replying to Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Khan Ghori's request, the PM asked the Chief Minister Sindh, Qaim Ali Shah, to review the law and order situation to control street crimes in the metropolis.
He also ordered the ports and shipping ministry to regularise all the contract employees and daily wagers as per the government's policy. He also ordered the construction of a football stadium in Keamari. He said the locals of the Baba and Bhit Islands should be given priority over others in port-related jobs. Gilani said the issue of lease for a residential scheme called Babul Islam should also be resolved, adding that he announced to give away 50 police mobile vans to the law enforcers on behalf of KPT.
He congratulated the KPT and its stakeholders for completing the work on berths much before 2014 deadline. The Prime Minister said the development process in the ports sectors of Pakistan would help the nation attain prosperity. He said the development in KPT would also increase the country's commerce activities. He said the 22-meter-long berths would continue to generate revenue for the nation for the next 30 years.
Earlier, Babar Ghori said berths were built at a cost of Rs 9 billion with financial support from the World Bank. According to him, the foreign investment in the country's potential sectors continues to increase. As independent institutions free from political interventions KPT, PQA, and PNSC earned Rs 18 billion surplus revenue. He said these departments were growing.
Secretary ports and shipping Agha Sarwar Raza Qazalbash and Chairman KPT Aslam Hayat also spoke at the function. On the rostrum, CM Sindh Qaim Ali Shah and Governor Sindh Ishratul Ibad Khan were also present. The event was largely attended by high government representatives including Speaker Sindh Assembly, Nisar Khuhro, Sindh Minister for Education Pir Mazhar, Sindh Law Minister, Ayaz Soomro, Sindh Finance Minister, Murad Ali Shah, head of National People's Party, Mansoor Jatoi, ANP Sindh Chief Shahi Syed and others.