SHEIKHUPURA, Feb 3: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday said the Pakistan People’s Party respected the judiciary therefore he appeared in the Supreme Court and would again appear on Feb 13.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of a toll plaza on GT Road near Kala Shah Kaku on Friday, Gilani said work on the Rs150 million toll plaza would be completed at the earliest. He said his party had rendered sacrifices for the restoration of democracy as well as supremacy of the constitution and judiciary. He said neither the PPP bowed before dictators nor its
leaders fled abroad after tendering an apology.

The ceremony was organised by Evacuee Trust Property Board Chairman Asif Hashmi.

A delegation of PPP Nankana workers led by MPA Shahjahan Bhatti met the prime minister. On the delegates’ recommendation, the prime minister announced that a university would be set-up in their area and it would be named after Benazir Bhutto.

On the request of a party delegation from Sharqpur the prime minister announced a Nadra sub-office in their town. The prime minister also said a degree college would be set-up in
Wandala Dyal Shah near Shahdara.

Gilani was accompanied by Governor Sardar Latif Khosa.

Our Staff Reporter adds: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has felicitated the Pakistan Railways and the private sector for joining hands to launch a deluxe train equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities, compatible with modern-day demand of businessmen travelling between Lahore and Karachi.

Delivering his speech at the inaugural ceremony of Business Express, the prime minister expressed the optimism that the train would set new standards for the public sector.

“This is the first train which is being run on public-private partnership mode, which will give the Railways the insight of the private sector. We are already well aware of the private sector’s potential and capacity as an engine of economic growth.

“I am confident that this partnership will infuse new spirit in providing efficient services to passengers and will be instrumental in the revival of Pakistan Railways. I am delighted to see that the railways administration has fulfilled the demand of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry for an express train connecting Lahore and Karachi. I also appreciate the initiative of M/s Four Brothers which has pledged to invest a minimum of Rs225 million for the commercial management and passenger facilitation for the business express.

“I am sure that all employees of the Pakistan Railways will support the venture and prove that public-private partnership is the key to economic growth for the future.”