PM calls for ‘Truth and Reconciliation Commission’ for consensus on national issues

ISLAMABAD, May 31 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Thursday called for forming a ‘Truth and Reconciliation Commission’ to look back into history and evolve a consensus to resolve national issues.
In his address to the last session of the National Assembly, he said the objective of such commission would bring forth correct facts and document the record.
The prime minister said the country’s current challenges required a national dialogue to resolve the civil-military, parliament-judiciary and judiciary executive relations.
He pointed that the actions of National Accountability Bureau were discouraging the civil administration and government servants to take decisions, which he said was impeding the smooth functioning of governmental affairs.
Abbasi said both government and the opposition were against any delay in holding of general election for even a single day, adding that such idea would be totally unacceptable.
He said the government and the opposition demanded holding of free, fair and impartial elections on time and said the nation was looking forward to the next general election on July 25.
The prime minister lauded the role of all parliamentarians, party heads, National Assembly speaker and the federal ministers for playing their due role in strengthening of the Parliament and also democratic traditions in the country.
He was appreciative of the role of National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq for raising the stature and strengthening democratic traditions in the Parliament.
Abbasi also spoke high of Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah and particularly mentioned his strong stance wherein he stood for democratic principles and supremacy of the Parliament.
He acknowledged that Khursheed Shah served as a potent leader of opposition and was positively critical of the government.
About the recent passage of the 25th constitutional amendment by the Parliament, he said the way all political parties played their part was particularly appreciable and reflected their strong desire for the strengthening of the democratic institutions.
The prime minister recalled the security situation that prevailed in the country in 2013 and said the Parliament at that time rose to the occasion and along with the armed forces of the country took difficult decisions to eradicate terrorism and its root causes.
Similarly, he said the situation in Karachi witnessed a total change as it was no longer among the dangerous cities of the world. He said the city had its share of ordinary street crimes like any large city and measures were afoot to further improve the situation.
He said investor confidence had considerably improved from the situation in 2013 and today major foreign investors were looking at Pakistan as an ideal place for investment.
He said despite the serious challenges the government was confronting at different levels and remained steadfast and improved the situation.
Abbasi mentioned the historic tax reforms his government introduced and said it would broaden the tax base and enhance revenues.
He said the government had also tackled the long term issue of electricity shortage in the country and for the next 15 years Pakistan would have enough power generation to meet its energy needs.
He said coal plants were today operational and was once the largest importers of furnace oil, but had not imported any oil for past eight months.
The prime minister said imported Liquefied Natural Gas was today openly available across the country and now private sector was playing its due role in providing gas to all consumers.
He said work on different phases of 1700-km-long motorway was going on and bring ease to the travelers, by cutting down on travel time, saving precious time and linking remote areas with the developed parts.
He also spoke of the recently approved water policy of the country and thanked all opposition parties and the provinces for standing together to avert the looming water crisis, the country was facing. He said two large water reservoirs would be constructed and would help meet the issue of water shortage.
He said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was moving ahead at a rapid phase. He termed it a flagship project that would link Pakistan with Western China and Central Asian Republics and play a key part in growth of Pakistan and increase in trade and transport with the regional countries.
Speaking about the Thar Coal project, the prime minister said the project was progressing at a fast pace and was appreciative of the role of Sindh government in this regard. He said reforms process in Gilgit Baltistan, merger of FATA with Khyber Pakhutunkhwa were a success.
He said the government also focused on increasing industrialization and exports were improving and hoped things would further improve in the days ahead.
About the foreign policy, he said despite numerous problems, his government played its part by undertaking proactive diplomacy.
He said a free, fair and impartial media was vital for the holding of the next general election and said there should be no curb on it.
He said the issues pertaining to the 18th amendment also needed to be discussed and as an example, asked for settling once and for all how the natural gas produced in one province needs to be used by it and for other provinces.
He advised the parliamentarians to also be mindful about maintaining quorum of the House, and added that their absence from sessions brought a bad name to the parliamentarians.