Saturday, April 26, 2008, Rabi-ul-Sani 19, 1429    

Khaqan inaugurates Thailand Exhibition in city
People desire restoration of deposed judges

Karachi—The people desire restoration of the deposed judges. This was stated by the Minister for Commerce, Shahid Khakan Abbasi, here on Friday.

He was talking to reporters after performing the inauguration of Thailand Exhibition-2008 at a lopcal hotel. The Minister was of the view that it was the “verdict of the people who have voted for us that the judges be restored.”

He opined that this matter pertains to the issue of basic justice. Every conscious Pakistani is very clear about this, he further stated.

Shahid Khakan Abbasi said this would also help the country in the task of development in the longer run. He stated that in the short term it is also essential to provide a relief package to the people.

The Minister was of the view that both of these are necessary and would inter-link at one point of time. Replying to a question about the petroleum prices, the Minister replied that these are linked with the import prices.

He said immediate relief cannot be provided as far as petroleum prices are concerned. However, we are working on how to resolve this difficulty and that this will come to the fore at the time of announcement of the budget.

Shahid Khakan Abbasi was of the view that the people will have to bear for some time the impact of the ‘legacy’ left behind by the previous government.

To a question, he said it is the domain of the parliament to amend the constitution and there is no point of confrontation in this.The Minister further stated that the parliament has its own role while the President has his own role and there is no room for confrontation.

Shahid Khakan Abbasi said the issue pertaining to NFC would be resolved with consensus by the present representative government.

Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbassi on Friday inaugurated a three-day Thailand exhibition 2008 at a hotel here. Thai Trade Centre Dhaka (TTCD) of Ministry of Commerce Thailand has organised the event in collaboration with Thai Consulate General in Karachi. Minister Counsellor (Commerce) Ms. Usa Wijaruran was also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said holding of the exhibition in Karachi shows that all Pakistani cities are as safe as other cities of the world.

“As the Thai exhibitors are displaying their products in the single country exhibition, I hope that Pakistani exporters will also be holding exhibition of their products in Thailand,” he added.

Khaqan Abbasi was confident that bilateral trade will increase manifold.—APP