Opposition urged to keep check on govt

LAKKI MARWAT, April 16: Chairman Senate Foreign Affairs Committee and chief of his own faction of PML Senator Salim Saifullah Khan has said that the 22-point agenda presented by his party to the government could help steer the country out of crises. Speaking at press conference in Naurang town here the other day, he said that if the agenda was implemented by the government in letter and spirit, it would bring prosperity and put the country on the right path. He said that the opposition parties did not play their role in keeping strict check on government during the last three years. Flanked by PML (Likeminded) district president Jamil Ahmad Khan and Sahibzada Illyas, Mr Saifullah said that independent judiciary, sovereign parliament and strong media were inevitable for the progress and prosperity of the country. "Accountability of the government by opposition can also help achieve the goal of becoming a strong nation," he said. Referring to his recent meeting with Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, he said that the PM had assured allocation of funds for the cadet college project and setting up an IT university in the district. He said he also briefed the prime minister on his recent visit to Afghanistan and suggested that visa condition should be waived for the parliamentarians of both the countries to boost and strengthen cordial and brotherly relations. "The prime minister also approved Rs100 million for gas provision and other uplift projects in Lakki Marwat," he said, adding that formalities have been completed for launching work on Kurrum Tangi dam project. He said that two high powered transformers would soon be installed in 132KV Naurang and Tajazai grid stations to overcome the problems of loadshedding and low voltage.