Bar on 3rd-time premiership to go, says Gilani

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Bar on 3rd-time premiership to go, says Gilani

* PM reiterates resolve to restore 1973 Constitution to original form
* Those responsible for Bugti’s murder must be tried in court of law

GWADAR/QUETTA: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday reiterated that the 1973 Constitution would be restored to its original form, and vowed to do away with the bar disallowing more than two terms in the office of prime minister.

Addressing a gathering after the signing of the National Finance Commission Award, the prime minister rejected constitutional amendments introduced by dictators, and said those who had violated the constitution should be punished.

Gilani said he was in favour of strengthening state institutions rather than individuals. He said the 17th Amendment and Article 58(2b) would also be “removed”, and a constitutional committee was already working on it.

Bugti: Gilani said those responsible for Akbar Bugti’s murder must be tried in a court of law. Gilani said the government believed in taking along all smaller provinces on board, and vowed to address “years of neglect” on priority. He said all provinces would be given political and financial autonomy.

Gilani also announced jobs for 20,000 Baloch youths and a girls’ college for Gwadar.

According to a private TV channel, the prime minister also increased the age limit to 35 years for Balochistan locals applying for government jobs. Separately, Gilani told members of delegations who had called on him that the government was giving priority to Balochistan’s development.