ISLAMABAD: Despite categorical assurance by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani in National Assembly that the election in Gilgit-Baltistan were transparent, the opposition parties staged a token walk out from the House alleging the polls were rigged and government machinery was used.

“There is no election in country’s history when allegations of rigging were not leveled. Since 1985 non-party elections to those of 2008, every time rigging charges surfaced, the Prime Minister said.“Even in 2008 elections, we accepted the results under protest,” he maintained.

Describing the election in Gilgit-Baltistan as a ‘great success, he said people of the area can be the best judge of transparency of the polls and that all political parties participated in electioneering.

On National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), the Prime Minister said, first the list of beneficiaries will be presented to the House and then whatever the decision, the House will make, we shall go by that.

He said reservations of Leader of Opposition were conveyed to him about new Accountability Bill and “I assure, we shall take everybody into confidence on this bill.”

“It must be an all time legislation ensuring that the law is used for accountability and not for victimization. There should also not be discrimination about its ambit,” he added.

The Prime Minister said the law should be applicable not only on politicians but everybody involved in corrupt practices and assured that the bill will be in consonance with the spirit of Charter of Democracy.

Earlier, Leader of the Opposition, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan claimed that PPP exploited state resources to influence voters in Gilgit-Baltistan polls, alleging that conduct of the government was against the spirit of democracy and Charter of Democracy.

He had also proposed an independent institution for accountability headed by not less than a Judge of the Supreme Court.

ISLAMABAD: The proposal of keeping the CNG stations closed for 2 days a week has bee postponed after the talks between Federal Minister for Privatization Naveed Qamar and All Pakistan CNG Association.

The CNG Association has withdrawn its call for strike.

After the meeting, Federal Minister for Privatization Naveed Qamar said the gas load-management will not be undertaken from November 15, but added that shortage of gas do exist.

The president of All Pakistan CNG Association Ghayas Paracha said the gas load-management will not start from November 15, therefore, the call for strike has been scrapped. He said the gas supply will continue to the CNG stations throughout the week.

Paracha said a committee comprising government representatives and CNG stations has been formed and that it will soon forward its report to the Petroleum Ministry.

ISLAMABAD: The officials of Finance Ministry will be giving a briefing on the country’s economic position at a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) here on Tuesday.

Sources told Geo News, Federal Minister for Petroleum and Privatization Naveed Qamar will preside over the meeting.

The meeting will review the import of 600,000 tons urea as well as an incentives package for a multinational company, manufacturing soap, shampoo and other products, to set up its plant in Pakistan.

The meeting will also review the position of stocks of sugar and other essentials as well as their prices.

SWAT: Fifteen militants were killed during a clash between security forces and militants in Swat as 50 militants laid down arms in tehsil Kabal.

According to Swat media center, 15 militants killed and two security men wounded during search operation in Kokarai and Jamehal areas. Heavy arms cache was also recovered from the possession of the militants.

Meanwhile, 50 militants surrendered in Kanju area of tehsil Kabal. Curfew has been relaxed till 8:00 pm in Mingora, Fizzagat, Charbagh, Kanju and Kabal.

In tehsil Maidan of Lower Dir, operation continued against militants and curfew will be relaxed till 8:00 pm.

TRIPOLI: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani arrived here on a three-day official visit to the Libyan capital to attend the 40th anniversary of Libyan revolution.

The Prime Minister was warmly received by Libyan Minister for Transport and Communications Muhammad Zahidan as he arrived at the Tripoli International Airport. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Minister for Privatization Syed Naveed Qamar also accompanied him.

He is expected to meet a number of world leaders who will also be in Libya to attend the celebrations.

The Prime Minister will also hold meetings with Libyan leader Moammar Qaddafi, his Libyan counterpart Baghdadi Ali al Mahmudi, ministers and notables.