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Pakistan to Part Finance Construction of Sports & Recreation Club in Dubai

While speaking to the media and Pakistani community members during a brief stopover in Dubai on Sunday, Gilani reiterated President Asif Ali Zardari’s earlier pledge to provide more than 25 per cent of the Dh25 million cost of the long pending construction.

Gilani, who was on his way to Libya, directed all Pakistani ministers to occasionally visit the UAE and resolve problems faced by the community members. “The UAE has been home to Benazir Bhutto and therefore is an important place for us,” he told the gathering.

He also said that steps were being taken to have Overseas Pakistanis representation in the senate.

“Overseas Pakistanis have an equal right to vote but for that we will have to amend the constitution,” he said.

Gilani also promised for fast track services for Overseas Pakistanis in government departments. He also said Pakistan wanted to restart dialogue with India but on an equal footing.

“Core issues should be resolved for an equal dialogue to take place,” he said. Commenting on former president Pervez Musharraf’s fate, Gilani said, “Whatever the Parliament decides.”

“We should now focus on curbing poverty, joblessness and price hikes in the country,” he said.

He also announced a women empowerment programme, the Benazir Income Support, which he said would provide Rs1,000 monthly to women so as to make them financially independent. He said that the poor would be given 200 units of electricity and gas supplies free of cost while plans were afoot to introduce a basic health insurance policy for those who cannot afford the rising medical costs.

“Shortage of energy and the law and order situation are the major challenges the country is facing at present,” he explained.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.ae

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