Punjab govt terms PM�s statement about DRA wrong

LAHORE: The Punjab government spokesman has declared the statement of Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani about setting up Drug Regulatory Authority as contrary to facts.

The spokesman said in a statement issued here Sunday that the factual position is that after the passage of 18th amendment, the federal government, vide its notification No. 4-9/2011-Min dated 29th June 2011, assigned the functions pertaining to administration of Drug Act 1976 to the proposed Drug Regulatory Agency.

At the time of issuance of this notification, the DRA did not exist and could only be established after consensus of all provincial governments, he said and added developing consensus among provinces is role of federal government, not of Punjab government. He further said the provincial government asked the federal government, vide letter No. SO(DC)6-48/2008 dated 4th July and 5th August 2011, to lawfully continue to perform its function under the existing Drug Act 1976 till the said law is adopted by provincial assembly of Punjab in terms of article 270-AA(6) of the constitution. The Punjab government has drafted a bill to adapt this act in case no consensus is reached in establishing DRA.

Assemblies to complete terms, govt to continue: Makhdoom

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Commerce and senior leader of the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Makhdoom Amin Fahim has vowed that the present assemblies will complete their tenure and Gilani government will stay in office till the time the term of the assemblies is complete.

The Makhdoom who met the president and prime minister Tuesday at length told The News in an informal chat at the Parliament House that present government is not confronting any political problem. The rumour mongering is not a new thing as kite flying is on rampant ever since the government has assumed the office.

The genuine political leadership is aware that the Gilani government will continue till the end of the tenure of the assemblies but political constrains are compelling them to shy away from the truth. The media hype has pumped in air in the balloon of crisis otherwise the situation has not gone that worse that the government should feel any problem about its survival.

The completion of the tenure of the Parliament and the government would be a good omen for democracy in Pakistan. ‘We must put efforts to strengthen the democracy and discourage such practices which are detrimental for the democratic order in the country, he said.

Assemblies to complete terms, govt to continue: Makhdoom

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Commerce and senior leader of the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Makhdoom Amin Fahim has vowed that the present assemblies will complete their tenure and Gilani government will stay in office till the time the term of the assemblies is complete.

The Makhdoom who met the president and prime minister Tuesday at length told The News in an informal chat at the Parliament House that present government is not confronting any political problem. The rumour mongering is not a new thing as kite flying is on rampant ever since the government has assumed the office.

The genuine political leadership is aware that the Gilani government will continue till the end of the tenure of the assemblies but political constrains are compelling them to shy away from the truth. The media hype has pumped in air in the balloon of crisis otherwise the situation has not gone that worse that the government should feel any problem about its survival.

The completion of the tenure of the Parliament and the government would be a good omen for democracy in Pakistan. ‘We must put efforts to strengthen the democracy and discourage such practices which are detrimental for the democratic order in the country, he said.