Shahbaz calls for new social contract

Shahbaz calls for new social contract 

Wednesday, 18 Feb, 2009 | 02:04 AM PST | 
 
 
Shahbaz says indicators other then population, including backwardness and area, should be considered for the new NFC award. - APP photo. 

QUETTA: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that Punjab is ready to address the concerns of all smaller provinces, not only in the next national finance commission award but also in the making of a new social contract in the country.

Speaking at a Press Conference on a brief visit to Quetta, he suggested that a national conference should be convened to chalk out a formula for drafting a new social contract among the provinces.

Balochistan Chief Minister, Nawab Aslam Raisani; Secretary General PML-N, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra; Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa and Sardar Yaqoob Khan Nasar were also present on the occasion.

He said that a new social contract was needed by the country in view of the problems being faced by the provinces in order to remove misunderstandings among provinces and make the federation stronger.

‘We want a social contract in which all the provinces should have equal development opportunities and have complete control over their resources,’ Sharif said, adding that Punjab would have no objection to such an agreement. 

Responding to a question about the NFC award, the Punjab Chief Minister said that Punjab was ready to mitigate the concerns of smaller provinces keeping in view their grievances. ‘Punjab would have no objection if NFC formula is reviewed with the consensus of the provinces and federation,’ he said.

He said that indicators other then population, including backwardness and area, should be considered for the distribution of resources among the provinces in the new NFC award. ‘We must change the traditions of imposing decision of minority over majority,’ he said.

He said militancy in Pakistan is the result of deprivation, unemployment and injustices committed by military rulers. However, he said that the elected government was working to improve the situation in the country.

Mian Shahbaz Sharif also announced construction of a modern Cardiology Institute in Quetta which would cost Rs1.25 billion and supply of 20,000 tons of wheat to Balochistan.