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One interesting aspect of the meeting between President Asif Ai Zardari and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain was that it was also attended by PML-Q’s Faisal Saleh Hayat who was earlier reported to be opposing the plan for his party to join the coalition government.

Mr Zardari, who is Co-Chairman of the PPP, accepted Q-League’s demand that its leader Chaudhry Pervez Elahi should be deputy prime minister in the new set-up.

He also agreed that the HEC would not be devolved to the provinces and the National Curriculum and National Drug Control would remain federal subjects.

The two sides also agreed to create Saraiki and Hazara provinces and to form a commission for the purpose. Mr Hayat said the two parties would formally sign an agreement next week.

If the agreed formula is implemented, the PML-Q will get six ministries —health, trade and commerce, petroleum, industries, agriculture and information technology —and six ministries of state, three advisers to the prime minister and UN ambassadorship.

Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said: “The meeting discussed political situation and realignment of political forces to face new challenges.” He said more meetings would be held soon.

Information Minister Firdos Ashiq Awan told reporters that the political situation would clear in about three days.

When contacted, Faisal Salah Hayat said: “Today we gave a formal shape to our accord with the PPP under which it has been decided that Chaudhry Pervez Elahi will be deputy prime minister.”

Sources said that Mr Zardari had also agreed to make some constitutional amendments for the purpose.

Legal experts said there was no bar in the Constitution to the creation of a post for deputy prime minister and it had been done in the past.

Besides distribution of ministries, Mr Hayat said, many other important issues, including long-term partnership and seat adjustments in the next elections, had been discussed at the meeting.

He said that President Zardari was very candid and keenly listened to “our points of view and assured us that all demands would be met.”

Observers believe that the post deputy prime minister will curtail the powers of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Mr Gilani was kept away from negotiations between the two parties and said this while talking to reporters in Multan talks being held between President Zardari and Q-Leaguers and he would inform “me after finalising the deal”.

The PPP’s core and parliamentary committees have already given their consent to the alliance and authorised President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani to finalise a deal with the PML-Q.

The PPP needs PML-Q’s support for a comprehensive majority in parliament after its two coalition partners — Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F —quit the government.

Wajahat Husain, Sheikh Waqas Akram, Raza Hayat Hiraj, Riaz Peerzada, Sardar Talib Nakai, Sultan Cheema, Atif Tauseef, Amir Muqam, Ghaus Bakhsh Mehr and Akram Gil of the PML-Q are set to be included in the expanded cabinet next week.

The sources said the PPP had also agreed to give four Senate seats to the Q-League in the March election.

One interesting aspect of the meeting between President Asif Ai Zardari and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain was that it was also attended by PML-Q’s Faisal Saleh Hayat who was earlier reported to be opposing the plan for his party to join the coalition government.

Mr Zardari, who is Co-Chairman of the PPP, accepted Q-League’s demand that its leader Chaudhry Pervez Elahi should be deputy prime minister in the new set-up.

He also agreed that the HEC would not be devolved to the provinces and the National Curriculum and National Drug Control would remain federal subjects.

The two sides also agreed to create Saraiki and Hazara provinces and to form a commission for the purpose. Mr Hayat said the two parties would formally sign an agreement next week.

If the agreed formula is implemented, the PML-Q will get six ministries —health, trade and commerce, petroleum, industries, agriculture and information technology —and six ministries of state, three advisers to the prime minister and UN ambassadorship.

Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said: “The meeting discussed political situation and realignment of political forces to face new challenges.” He said more meetings would be held soon.

Information Minister Firdos Ashiq Awan told reporters that the political situation would clear in about three days.

When contacted, Faisal Salah Hayat said: “Today we gave a formal shape to our accord with the PPP under which it has been decided that Chaudhry Pervez Elahi will be deputy prime minister.”

Sources said that Mr Zardari had also agreed to make some constitutional amendments for the purpose.

Legal experts said there was no bar in the Constitution to the creation of a post for deputy prime minister and it had been done in the past.

Besides distribution of ministries, Mr Hayat said, many other important issues, including long-term partnership and seat adjustments in the next elections, had been discussed at the meeting.

He said that President Zardari was very candid and keenly listened to “our points of view and assured us that all demands would be met.”

Observers believe that the post deputy prime minister will curtail the powers of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Mr Gilani was kept away from negotiations between the two parties and said this while talking to reporters in Multan talks being held between President Zardari and Q-Leaguers and he would inform “me after finalising the deal”.

The PPP’s core and parliamentary committees have already given their consent to the alliance and authorised President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani to finalise a deal with the PML-Q.

The PPP needs PML-Q’s support for a comprehensive majority in parliament after its two coalition partners — Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F —quit the government.

Wajahat Husain, Sheikh Waqas Akram, Raza Hayat Hiraj, Riaz Peerzada, Sardar Talib Nakai, Sultan Cheema, Atif Tauseef, Amir Muqam, Ghaus Bakhsh Mehr and Akram Gil of the PML-Q are set to be included in the expanded cabinet next week.

The sources said the PPP had also agreed to give four Senate seats to the Q-League in the March election.

One interesting aspect of the meeting between President Asif Ai Zardari and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain was that it was also attended by PML-Q’s Faisal Saleh Hayat who was earlier reported to be opposing the plan for his party to join the coalition government.

Mr Zardari, who is Co-Chairman of the PPP, accepted Q-League’s demand that its leader Chaudhry Pervez Elahi should be deputy prime minister in the new set-up.

He also agreed that the HEC would not be devolved to the provinces and the National Curriculum and National Drug Control would remain federal subjects.

The two sides also agreed to create Saraiki and Hazara provinces and to form a commission for the purpose. Mr Hayat said the two parties would formally sign an agreement next week.

If the agreed formula is implemented, the PML-Q will get six ministries —health, trade and commerce, petroleum, industries, agriculture and information technology —and six ministries of state, three advisers to the prime minister and UN ambassadorship.

Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said: “The meeting discussed political situation and realignment of political forces to face new challenges.” He said more meetings would be held soon.

Information Minister Firdos Ashiq Awan told reporters that the political situation would clear in about three days.

When contacted, Faisal Salah Hayat said: “Today we gave a formal shape to our accord with the PPP under which it has been decided that Chaudhry Pervez Elahi will be deputy prime minister.”

Sources said that Mr Zardari had also agreed to make some constitutional amendments for the purpose.

Legal experts said there was no bar in the Constitution to the creation of a post for deputy prime minister and it had been done in the past.

Besides distribution of ministries, Mr Hayat said, many other important issues, including long-term partnership and seat adjustments in the next elections, had been discussed at the meeting.

He said that President Zardari was very candid and keenly listened to “our points of view and assured us that all demands would be met.”

Observers believe that the post deputy prime minister will curtail the powers of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Mr Gilani was kept away from negotiations between the two parties and said this while talking to reporters in Multan talks being held between President Zardari and Q-Leaguers and he would inform “me after finalising the deal”.

The PPP’s core and parliamentary committees have already given their consent to the alliance and authorised President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani to finalise a deal with the PML-Q.

The PPP needs PML-Q’s support for a comprehensive majority in parliament after its two coalition partners — Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F —quit the government.

Wajahat Husain, Sheikh Waqas Akram, Raza Hayat Hiraj, Riaz Peerzada, Sardar Talib Nakai, Sultan Cheema, Atif Tauseef, Amir Muqam, Ghaus Bakhsh Mehr and Akram Gil of the PML-Q are set to be included in the expanded cabinet next week.

The sources said the PPP had also agreed to give four Senate seats to the Q-League in the March election.

Talking to media representatives at the Allama Iqbal International Airport here on Friday, she said the Pakistan People’s Party-led government wanted to keep all parties including the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) on board, as that was in the country’s interest.

Responding to a question, she said the PML-N had left the coalition government, adding that the PPP was still following the politics of reconciliation and dialogue.

The minister said that it was part of the policy of the PPP-led government and a hallmark of politics that dialogues among the PML-Q and other parties with the government were in progress.

She said the country was facing various challenges including security issues, drone attacks, threat to its sovereignty and national unity, so the government was taking all parties on board to meet these challenges.

To a question on the emerging political situation, she said many proposals had been discussed in the dialogue between the PPP and the PML-Q and the details will be made public after the two sides reached a consensus.

Talking to media representatives at the Allama Iqbal International Airport here on Friday, she said the Pakistan People’s Party-led government wanted to keep all parties including the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) on board, as that was in the country’s interest.

Responding to a question, she said the PML-N had left the coalition government, adding that the PPP was still following the politics of reconciliation and dialogue.

The minister said that it was part of the policy of the PPP-led government and a hallmark of politics that dialogues among the PML-Q and other parties with the government were in progress.

She said the country was facing various challenges including security issues, drone attacks, threat to its sovereignty and national unity, so the government was taking all parties on board to meet these challenges.

To a question on the emerging political situation, she said many proposals had been discussed in the dialogue between the PPP and the PML-Q and the details will be made public after the two sides reached a consensus.

Talking to media representatives at the Allama Iqbal International Airport here on Friday, she said the Pakistan People’s Party-led government wanted to keep all parties including the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) on board, as that was in the country’s interest.

Responding to a question, she said the PML-N had left the coalition government, adding that the PPP was still following the politics of reconciliation and dialogue.

The minister said that it was part of the policy of the PPP-led government and a hallmark of politics that dialogues among the PML-Q and other parties with the government were in progress.

She said the country was facing various challenges including security issues, drone attacks, threat to its sovereignty and national unity, so the government was taking all parties on board to meet these challenges.

To a question on the emerging political situation, she said many proposals had been discussed in the dialogue between the PPP and the PML-Q and the details will be made public after the two sides reached a consensus.

Police said Shaikh Liaquat Ali, a former MPA and member of the MQM’s legal aid committee, was fired at when he was traveling in his car on the Abul Hassan Ispahani Road.

The deceased suffered two gunshot wounds in his chest and died before he could be rushed to the hospital.

SP Ahsan Umar said Mr Ali’s body was shifted to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre by police personnel, but later it was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

In a live speech on Libyan television that began in the early hours of Saturday morning and lasted 80 minutes, Qadhafi said he did not intend to step down or leave the country and that Libyans could solve their own problems if Nato strikes end.

“(Libya) is ready until now to enter a ceasefire but a ceasefire cannot be from one side,” said Qadhafi, speaking from behind a desk and aided by reams of papers covered in what appeared to be hand-written notes.

“We were the first to welcome a ceasefire and we were the first to accept a ceasefire but the Crusader Nato attack has not stopped,” he said. “The gate to peace is open.”

Poorly armed and trained rebel groups have been fighting since mid-February to end Qadhafi’s 41-year rule. Nato forces say a United Nations resolution allows them to attack government positions to protect civilians; but the support has not brought the swift fall of Qadhafi some expected.

Qadhafi said the Nato airstrikes and naval patrols went beyond the United Nations mandate and urged Russia, China and friendly African and Latin American countries to press the Security Council to take a fresh look at the resolution.

Qadhafi said the strikes and sanctions were affecting civilians and were destroying the country’s infrastructure.

In a marked contrast to previous speeches, where he called the rebels “rats” and promised to track the down house by house, Qadhafi urged the rebels to lay down their weapons and said Libyans should not be fighting each other.

He blamed the rebellion on mercenaries and foreigners. “We cannot fight each other,” he said. “We are one family.”

Qadhafi denied mass attacks on civilians and challenged Nato to find him 1,000 people who had been killed in the conflict.

“We did not attack them or cross the sea, why are they attacking us?” asked Qadhafi, referring to European countries involved in the air strikes. “Let us negotiate with you, the countries that attack us. Let us negotiate.”

If Nato powers were not interested in talks, however, the Libyan people would not surrender and were willing to die resisting what he called its “terrorist” attacks. He warned Nato that its forces would die if it invaded by land.

“Either freedom or death. No surrender. No fear. No departure,” he said.

Speaking three months after former Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali fled the North African country after weeks of protests, Qadhafi said no one had the right to force him out.

“I’m not leaving my country,” he said. “No one can force me to leave my country and no one can tell me not to fight for my country.”

After the broadcast, state television said Nato warplanes had bombed a site in the Libyan capital Tripoli next to the television building during Gaddafi’s address.

“A building adjacent to the Jamahiriya building was bombed during the broadcast of Muammar Qadhafi’s speech and that implies a target on the leader of the revolution himself,” the television said after Qadhafi had finished speaking.

Police said Shaikh Liaquat Ali, a former MPA and member of the MQM’s legal aid committee, was fired at when he was traveling in his car on the Abul Hassan Ispahani Road.

The deceased suffered two gunshot wounds in his chest and died before he could be rushed to the hospital.

SP Ahsan Umar said Mr Ali’s body was shifted to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre by police personnel, but later it was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

In a live speech on Libyan television that began in the early hours of Saturday morning and lasted 80 minutes, Qadhafi said he did not intend to step down or leave the country and that Libyans could solve their own problems if Nato strikes end.

“(Libya) is ready until now to enter a ceasefire but a ceasefire cannot be from one side,” said Qadhafi, speaking from behind a desk and aided by reams of papers covered in what appeared to be hand-written notes.

“We were the first to welcome a ceasefire and we were the first to accept a ceasefire but the Crusader Nato attack has not stopped,” he said. “The gate to peace is open.”

Poorly armed and trained rebel groups have been fighting since mid-February to end Qadhafi’s 41-year rule. Nato forces say a United Nations resolution allows them to attack government positions to protect civilians; but the support has not brought the swift fall of Qadhafi some expected.

Qadhafi said the Nato airstrikes and naval patrols went beyond the United Nations mandate and urged Russia, China and friendly African and Latin American countries to press the Security Council to take a fresh look at the resolution.

Qadhafi said the strikes and sanctions were affecting civilians and were destroying the country’s infrastructure.

In a marked contrast to previous speeches, where he called the rebels “rats” and promised to track the down house by house, Qadhafi urged the rebels to lay down their weapons and said Libyans should not be fighting each other.

He blamed the rebellion on mercenaries and foreigners. “We cannot fight each other,” he said. “We are one family.”

Qadhafi denied mass attacks on civilians and challenged Nato to find him 1,000 people who had been killed in the conflict.

“We did not attack them or cross the sea, why are they attacking us?” asked Qadhafi, referring to European countries involved in the air strikes. “Let us negotiate with you, the countries that attack us. Let us negotiate.”

If Nato powers were not interested in talks, however, the Libyan people would not surrender and were willing to die resisting what he called its “terrorist” attacks. He warned Nato that its forces would die if it invaded by land.

“Either freedom or death. No surrender. No fear. No departure,” he said.

Speaking three months after former Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali fled the North African country after weeks of protests, Qadhafi said no one had the right to force him out.

“I’m not leaving my country,” he said. “No one can force me to leave my country and no one can tell me not to fight for my country.”

After the broadcast, state television said Nato warplanes had bombed a site in the Libyan capital Tripoli next to the television building during Gaddafi’s address.

“A building adjacent to the Jamahiriya building was bombed during the broadcast of Muammar Qadhafi’s speech and that implies a target on the leader of the revolution himself,” the television said after Qadhafi had finished speaking.

Police said Shaikh Liaquat Ali, a former MPA and member of the MQM’s legal aid committee, was fired at when he was traveling in his car on the Abul Hassan Ispahani Road.

The deceased suffered two gunshot wounds in his chest and died before he could be rushed to the hospital.

SP Ahsan Umar said Mr Ali’s body was shifted to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre by police personnel, but later it was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

In a live speech on Libyan television that began in the early hours of Saturday morning and lasted 80 minutes, Qadhafi said he did not intend to step down or leave the country and that Libyans could solve their own problems if Nato strikes end.

“(Libya) is ready until now to enter a ceasefire but a ceasefire cannot be from one side,” said Qadhafi, speaking from behind a desk and aided by reams of papers covered in what appeared to be hand-written notes.

“We were the first to welcome a ceasefire and we were the first to accept a ceasefire but the Crusader Nato attack has not stopped,” he said. “The gate to peace is open.”

Poorly armed and trained rebel groups have been fighting since mid-February to end Qadhafi’s 41-year rule. Nato forces say a United Nations resolution allows them to attack government positions to protect civilians; but the support has not brought the swift fall of Qadhafi some expected.

Qadhafi said the Nato airstrikes and naval patrols went beyond the United Nations mandate and urged Russia, China and friendly African and Latin American countries to press the Security Council to take a fresh look at the resolution.

Qadhafi said the strikes and sanctions were affecting civilians and were destroying the country’s infrastructure.

In a marked contrast to previous speeches, where he called the rebels “rats” and promised to track the down house by house, Qadhafi urged the rebels to lay down their weapons and said Libyans should not be fighting each other.

He blamed the rebellion on mercenaries and foreigners. “We cannot fight each other,” he said. “We are one family.”

Qadhafi denied mass attacks on civilians and challenged Nato to find him 1,000 people who had been killed in the conflict.

“We did not attack them or cross the sea, why are they attacking us?” asked Qadhafi, referring to European countries involved in the air strikes. “Let us negotiate with you, the countries that attack us. Let us negotiate.”

If Nato powers were not interested in talks, however, the Libyan people would not surrender and were willing to die resisting what he called its “terrorist” attacks. He warned Nato that its forces would die if it invaded by land.

“Either freedom or death. No surrender. No fear. No departure,” he said.

Speaking three months after former Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali fled the North African country after weeks of protests, Qadhafi said no one had the right to force him out.

“I’m not leaving my country,” he said. “No one can force me to leave my country and no one can tell me not to fight for my country.”

After the broadcast, state television said Nato warplanes had bombed a site in the Libyan capital Tripoli next to the television building during Gaddafi’s address.

“A building adjacent to the Jamahiriya building was bombed during the broadcast of Muammar Qadhafi’s speech and that implies a target on the leader of the revolution himself,” the television said after Qadhafi had finished speaking.

The roadmap was presented at a rare brainstorming session organised by the PBC at a local hotel. Five key issues discussed in detail were energy, regional trade, social protection, macroeconomic stability and education.

The council recommended trade with India, levying of tax on agricultural income, establishment of a ministry of energy and a national energy authority, imposition of property tax in major cities, more food subsidy for the poorest and revamping of the madressah education system.

Almost all major political parties of the country participated in the event, including the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-N, PML-Q, Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Awami National Party.

“All political parties have a consensus that the time has come when they should sit together by burying their differences for revival of the economy,” PBC chairman Asad Umar told Dawn.

He said he did not find any differences among the parties on the issues discussed.

“We have presented our recommendations to President Asif Ali Zardari who assured us that he will forward them to the government for implementation,” he said.

Mr Umar said the government was supportive to the PBC’s efforts for addressing key economic and social issues confronting the country and ensuring consistency in economic policies.

The participants agreed to set up working groups soon to address the five major issues. The groups will comprise leaders from all major parties and people from the private sector.

Leaders of the parties agreed to a recommendation that the government should increase the tax base by putting under the tax net all segments of the society which were not paying taxes or evading them.

They were of the view that it was the need of the hour that all political and other forces should come forward and play an effective role for the revival of the country’s economy.

“There should be consistency in the economic policies of the country irrespective of the fact that who comes into power,” PPP information secretary Qamar Zaman Kaira said.

Other prominent figures who attended the session were: Sherry Rehman and Raja Pervez Ashraf of the PPP, Ashan Iqbal, Khurram Dastagir, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Zahid Hamid of PML-N, Dilawar Abbas and Haroon Ahktar of Q-League, Ahmed Ali, and Farooq Sattar of MQM and Haji Adeel of ANP.

Besides Mr Umar, the PBC was represented by Kamran Y. Mirza, Jehangir Tareen, Abdul Razak Dawood, Ali S. Habib, Hussain Dawood, Iqbal Lakhani, Zakir Mehmood, Dr Asad Sayeed, Dr Ijaz Nabi, Dr Ishrat Hussain, Farooq Rehmatullah and Shams Kassim Lakha.

After a lengthy session, PBC’s office-bearers called on the president and presented their recommendations prepared on the basis of the discussion.

President Zardari reiterated that the business community and leading entrepreneurs of the country had to come forward to create consensus among all parties on economic challenges faced by the country and ensure that economic policies remained unchanged even after changes in governments.

President’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar quoted him as saying: “The government firmly believes in taking all stakeholders on board to tackle the critical economic issues because it is a collective responsibility of all to work together and join hands to overcome the challenges of the current economic situation and to put the economy back on track.”

The government, he said, would continue to pursue its economic reform agenda despite difficulties and challenges.

The president called upon the businessmen to make consortiums of leading entrepreneurs to enter into public-private partnership to run various state enterprises with management control. He reiterated his call for maximum involvement of the private sector and adoption of public-private partnership models in every mega development project to take maximum advantage of it.

TRADE WITH INDIA: The council recommended that India should be given the most favoured nation (MFN) status to enhance regional trade. “The immediate implication of this is to allow trade with India based on the usual negative list (prohibiting trade in explosives, goods that pose risk to the environment and health etc.) rather than a positive list.

“The MFN status to India must be accompanied by setting up a bilateral commission to address the issues that are closely tied up with India and Pakistan having a normal economic relationship that results in sustained benefits.”

It said the commission should use the World Trade Organisation’s framework for addressing non-tariff barriers and then bring them into the strategic regional trade policy framework.

The council emphasised the need for developing institutional capacity (national tariff commission) to address non-tariff barriers and anti-dumping complaints with a view to promoting trade rather than hindering it.

It said the maximum benefit from a more liberal trade regime with India would come from land routes that minimised response time to market forces.

As many land routes as possible should be opened on the old road and railway networks all along the border from Kashmir to the Arabian Sea.

Travel (visa, air/road/railway transport) must be facilitated to promote competitive trade in goods and services that benefits small and medium firms, to tap into the large pool of Indian skilled workers, gain access to Indian farm and other technologies and encourage cross-border tourism.

ENERGY: The council recommended that the government should set up a ministry of energy within which a national energy authority should comprise eminent private and public sector professionals.

It recommended integrated energy planning and steps to generate additional power from exiting capacity — 2,500MW by life extension (to be implemented within 6-12 months), prioritisation of gas allocation with immediate effect for 4,000MW generation using high efficiency captive power plants, ensuring of CNG price parity with petrol to release 200 million cubic feet daily (MMcfd) which is equivalent to 1,000MW of power and conversion of all gas area and water heating to solar passive PVC heaters to yield at least a further 200MMcfd.

Thar coal should be used by 2016, LNG should be obtained in 18 months and the country should plan to increase hydel and wind power to 50 per cent of electricity generation within the next decade.

FISCAL MEASURES: The council claimed that the government could generate an additional Rs300-400 billion in revenue within the present tax regime through better coverage and enforcement.

It recommended that taxation measures should focus on documentation and broadening the base for direct taxes.It said the provincial governments had the necessary legislation in place to tax income on agriculture. “The threshold level exemption limit should be reinforced, the collection machinery, compliance and enforcement measures strengthened. Urban immoveable property tax in major cities be imposed.”

SOCIAL PROTECTION: The document said spending on social protection was a subsidy but the government had failed to maximise the benefit for the poor.

Due to volatility in international food prices and inability of the administration to insulate domestic prices, a targeted food subsidy needs to be introduced soon.

“An employment programme of 100 days for unskilled workers must be initiated in a phased manner, a health insurance scheme for the poorest population chosen through poverty scorecard should be launched and a targeted nutritional programme for children is needed to address growth stunting among the young population.”

EDUCATION: The PBC recommended a revamped madressah education curriculum, pedagogies and assessment and examination practice in a way that they would promote critical activity and technical skills in students.

Their curriculum should move away from narrow approach to Islamic education and should encompass a broader framework of religious education which promotes tolerance, respect and appreciation for diversity of pluralism.

The council recommended replication of the madressah reforms carried out in Indonesia and east African countries.

The roadmap was presented at a rare brainstorming session organised by the PBC at a local hotel. Five key issues discussed in detail were energy, regional trade, social protection, macroeconomic stability and education.

The council recommended trade with India, levying of tax on agricultural income, establishment of a ministry of energy and a national energy authority, imposition of property tax in major cities, more food subsidy for the poorest and revamping of the madressah education system.

Almost all major political parties of the country participated in the event, including the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-N, PML-Q, Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Awami National Party.

“All political parties have a consensus that the time has come when they should sit together by burying their differences for revival of the economy,” PBC chairman Asad Umar told Dawn.

He said he did not find any differences among the parties on the issues discussed.

“We have presented our recommendations to President Asif Ali Zardari who assured us that he will forward them to the government for implementation,” he said.

Mr Umar said the government was supportive to the PBC’s efforts for addressing key economic and social issues confronting the country and ensuring consistency in economic policies.

The participants agreed to set up working groups soon to address the five major issues. The groups will comprise leaders from all major parties and people from the private sector.

Leaders of the parties agreed to a recommendation that the government should increase the tax base by putting under the tax net all segments of the society which were not paying taxes or evading them.

They were of the view that it was the need of the hour that all political and other forces should come forward and play an effective role for the revival of the country’s economy.

“There should be consistency in the economic policies of the country irrespective of the fact that who comes into power,” PPP information secretary Qamar Zaman Kaira said.

Other prominent figures who attended the session were: Sherry Rehman and Raja Pervez Ashraf of the PPP, Ashan Iqbal, Khurram Dastagir, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Zahid Hamid of PML-N, Dilawar Abbas and Haroon Ahktar of Q-League, Ahmed Ali, and Farooq Sattar of MQM and Haji Adeel of ANP.

Besides Mr Umar, the PBC was represented by Kamran Y. Mirza, Jehangir Tareen, Abdul Razak Dawood, Ali S. Habib, Hussain Dawood, Iqbal Lakhani, Zakir Mehmood, Dr Asad Sayeed, Dr Ijaz Nabi, Dr Ishrat Hussain, Farooq Rehmatullah and Shams Kassim Lakha.

After a lengthy session, PBC’s office-bearers called on the president and presented their recommendations prepared on the basis of the discussion.

President Zardari reiterated that the business community and leading entrepreneurs of the country had to come forward to create consensus among all parties on economic challenges faced by the country and ensure that economic policies remained unchanged even after changes in governments.

President’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar quoted him as saying: “The government firmly believes in taking all stakeholders on board to tackle the critical economic issues because it is a collective responsibility of all to work together and join hands to overcome the challenges of the current economic situation and to put the economy back on track.”

The government, he said, would continue to pursue its economic reform agenda despite difficulties and challenges.

The president called upon the businessmen to make consortiums of leading entrepreneurs to enter into public-private partnership to run various state enterprises with management control. He reiterated his call for maximum involvement of the private sector and adoption of public-private partnership models in every mega development project to take maximum advantage of it.

TRADE WITH INDIA: The council recommended that India should be given the most favoured nation (MFN) status to enhance regional trade. “The immediate implication of this is to allow trade with India based on the usual negative list (prohibiting trade in explosives, goods that pose risk to the environment and health etc.) rather than a positive list.

“The MFN status to India must be accompanied by setting up a bilateral commission to address the issues that are closely tied up with India and Pakistan having a normal economic relationship that results in sustained benefits.”

It said the commission should use the World Trade Organisation’s framework for addressing non-tariff barriers and then bring them into the strategic regional trade policy framework.

The council emphasised the need for developing institutional capacity (national tariff commission) to address non-tariff barriers and anti-dumping complaints with a view to promoting trade rather than hindering it.

It said the maximum benefit from a more liberal trade regime with India would come from land routes that minimised response time to market forces.

As many land routes as possible should be opened on the old road and railway networks all along the border from Kashmir to the Arabian Sea.

Travel (visa, air/road/railway transport) must be facilitated to promote competitive trade in goods and services that benefits small and medium firms, to tap into the large pool of Indian skilled workers, gain access to Indian farm and other technologies and encourage cross-border tourism.

ENERGY: The council recommended that the government should set up a ministry of energy within which a national energy authority should comprise eminent private and public sector professionals.

It recommended integrated energy planning and steps to generate additional power from exiting capacity — 2,500MW by life extension (to be implemented within 6-12 months), prioritisation of gas allocation with immediate effect for 4,000MW generation using high efficiency captive power plants, ensuring of CNG price parity with petrol to release 200 million cubic feet daily (MMcfd) which is equivalent to 1,000MW of power and conversion of all gas area and water heating to solar passive PVC heaters to yield at least a further 200MMcfd.

Thar coal should be used by 2016, LNG should be obtained in 18 months and the country should plan to increase hydel and wind power to 50 per cent of electricity generation within the next decade.

FISCAL MEASURES: The council claimed that the government could generate an additional Rs300-400 billion in revenue within the present tax regime through better coverage and enforcement.

It recommended that taxation measures should focus on documentation and broadening the base for direct taxes.It said the provincial governments had the necessary legislation in place to tax income on agriculture. “The threshold level exemption limit should be reinforced, the collection machinery, compliance and enforcement measures strengthened. Urban immoveable property tax in major cities be imposed.”

SOCIAL PROTECTION: The document said spending on social protection was a subsidy but the government had failed to maximise the benefit for the poor.

Due to volatility in international food prices and inability of the administration to insulate domestic prices, a targeted food subsidy needs to be introduced soon.

“An employment programme of 100 days for unskilled workers must be initiated in a phased manner, a health insurance scheme for the poorest population chosen through poverty scorecard should be launched and a targeted nutritional programme for children is needed to address growth stunting among the young population.”

EDUCATION: The PBC recommended a revamped madressah education curriculum, pedagogies and assessment and examination practice in a way that they would promote critical activity and technical skills in students.

Their curriculum should move away from narrow approach to Islamic education and should encompass a broader framework of religious education which promotes tolerance, respect and appreciation for diversity of pluralism.

The council recommended replication of the madressah reforms carried out in Indonesia and east African countries.

The roadmap was presented at a rare brainstorming session organised by the PBC at a local hotel. Five key issues discussed in detail were energy, regional trade, social protection, macroeconomic stability and education.

The council recommended trade with India, levying of tax on agricultural income, establishment of a ministry of energy and a national energy authority, imposition of property tax in major cities, more food subsidy for the poorest and revamping of the madressah education system.

Almost all major political parties of the country participated in the event, including the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-N, PML-Q, Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Awami National Party.

“All political parties have a consensus that the time has come when they should sit together by burying their differences for revival of the economy,” PBC chairman Asad Umar told Dawn.

He said he did not find any differences among the parties on the issues discussed.

“We have presented our recommendations to President Asif Ali Zardari who assured us that he will forward them to the government for implementation,” he said.

Mr Umar said the government was supportive to the PBC’s efforts for addressing key economic and social issues confronting the country and ensuring consistency in economic policies.

The participants agreed to set up working groups soon to address the five major issues. The groups will comprise leaders from all major parties and people from the private sector.

Leaders of the parties agreed to a recommendation that the government should increase the tax base by putting under the tax net all segments of the society which were not paying taxes or evading them.

They were of the view that it was the need of the hour that all political and other forces should come forward and play an effective role for the revival of the country’s economy.

“There should be consistency in the economic policies of the country irrespective of the fact that who comes into power,” PPP information secretary Qamar Zaman Kaira said.

Other prominent figures who attended the session were: Sherry Rehman and Raja Pervez Ashraf of the PPP, Ashan Iqbal, Khurram Dastagir, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Zahid Hamid of PML-N, Dilawar Abbas and Haroon Ahktar of Q-League, Ahmed Ali, and Farooq Sattar of MQM and Haji Adeel of ANP.

Besides Mr Umar, the PBC was represented by Kamran Y. Mirza, Jehangir Tareen, Abdul Razak Dawood, Ali S. Habib, Hussain Dawood, Iqbal Lakhani, Zakir Mehmood, Dr Asad Sayeed, Dr Ijaz Nabi, Dr Ishrat Hussain, Farooq Rehmatullah and Shams Kassim Lakha.

After a lengthy session, PBC’s office-bearers called on the president and presented their recommendations prepared on the basis of the discussion.

President Zardari reiterated that the business community and leading entrepreneurs of the country had to come forward to create consensus among all parties on economic challenges faced by the country and ensure that economic policies remained unchanged even after changes in governments.

President’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar quoted him as saying: “The government firmly believes in taking all stakeholders on board to tackle the critical economic issues because it is a collective responsibility of all to work together and join hands to overcome the challenges of the current economic situation and to put the economy back on track.”

The government, he said, would continue to pursue its economic reform agenda despite difficulties and challenges.

The president called upon the businessmen to make consortiums of leading entrepreneurs to enter into public-private partnership to run various state enterprises with management control. He reiterated his call for maximum involvement of the private sector and adoption of public-private partnership models in every mega development project to take maximum advantage of it.

TRADE WITH INDIA: The council recommended that India should be given the most favoured nation (MFN) status to enhance regional trade. “The immediate implication of this is to allow trade with India based on the usual negative list (prohibiting trade in explosives, goods that pose risk to the environment and health etc.) rather than a positive list.

“The MFN status to India must be accompanied by setting up a bilateral commission to address the issues that are closely tied up with India and Pakistan having a normal economic relationship that results in sustained benefits.”

It said the commission should use the World Trade Organisation’s framework for addressing non-tariff barriers and then bring them into the strategic regional trade policy framework.

The council emphasised the need for developing institutional capacity (national tariff commission) to address non-tariff barriers and anti-dumping complaints with a view to promoting trade rather than hindering it.

It said the maximum benefit from a more liberal trade regime with India would come from land routes that minimised response time to market forces.

As many land routes as possible should be opened on the old road and railway networks all along the border from Kashmir to the Arabian Sea.

Travel (visa, air/road/railway transport) must be facilitated to promote competitive trade in goods and services that benefits small and medium firms, to tap into the large pool of Indian skilled workers, gain access to Indian farm and other technologies and encourage cross-border tourism.

ENERGY: The council recommended that the government should set up a ministry of energy within which a national energy authority should comprise eminent private and public sector professionals.

It recommended integrated energy planning and steps to generate additional power from exiting capacity — 2,500MW by life extension (to be implemented within 6-12 months), prioritisation of gas allocation with immediate effect for 4,000MW generation using high efficiency captive power plants, ensuring of CNG price parity with petrol to release 200 million cubic feet daily (MMcfd) which is equivalent to 1,000MW of power and conversion of all gas area and water heating to solar passive PVC heaters to yield at least a further 200MMcfd.

Thar coal should be used by 2016, LNG should be obtained in 18 months and the country should plan to increase hydel and wind power to 50 per cent of electricity generation within the next decade.

FISCAL MEASURES: The council claimed that the government could generate an additional Rs300-400 billion in revenue within the present tax regime through better coverage and enforcement.

It recommended that taxation measures should focus on documentation and broadening the base for direct taxes.It said the provincial governments had the necessary legislation in place to tax income on agriculture. “The threshold level exemption limit should be reinforced, the collection machinery, compliance and enforcement measures strengthened. Urban immoveable property tax in major cities be imposed.”

SOCIAL PROTECTION: The document said spending on social protection was a subsidy but the government had failed to maximise the benefit for the poor.

Due to volatility in international food prices and inability of the administration to insulate domestic prices, a targeted food subsidy needs to be introduced soon.

“An employment programme of 100 days for unskilled workers must be initiated in a phased manner, a health insurance scheme for the poorest population chosen through poverty scorecard should be launched and a targeted nutritional programme for children is needed to address growth stunting among the young population.”

EDUCATION: The PBC recommended a revamped madressah education curriculum, pedagogies and assessment and examination practice in a way that they would promote critical activity and technical skills in students.

Their curriculum should move away from narrow approach to Islamic education and should encompass a broader framework of religious education which promotes tolerance, respect and appreciation for diversity of pluralism.

The council recommended replication of the madressah reforms carried out in Indonesia and east African countries.

The house was adjourned, rather than prorogued, in line with a business advisory committee decision so it could meet again on May 9 without being summoned by the president and members and ministers concerned could use the intervening period to prepare for a serious debate on how to overcome the country’s energy shortages.

It was after acting Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi had declared a motion for vote of thanks to the president adopted by a voice vote at the end of a debate on last month’s presidential address to parliament that PML-N lawmakers shouted “no”, only to be ignored by the chair.

PML-N backbenchers had earlier moved to forward rows apparently on instructions to look, or sound, more impressive when the formal motion expressing the house’s “deep gratitude” to the president for his annual March 22 address to a joint sitting of the two houses of parliament was put to vote.

But after members of the ruling PPP and their allies voted “ayes” in support of the motion, PML-N members, for some unexplained reason, did not quickly respond when the chair called for the negative vote, and shouted “no” after the motion was declared carried.

A second embarrassment for the PML-N came later after opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan objected to Thursday’s decision by a house business advisory committee, on which PML-N was represented, to recess the present session until May 9 to prepare for the energy debate from that date, saying the long recess would cost heavy expenditure in daily allowances for 342 house members at the rate of Rs3,750 per day and that the PML-N would not attend if those allowances were paid or if the session were not brought forward to next Monday after the usual two-day weekend.

PPP chief whip Khursheed Ahmed Shah told the house that the advisory committee had decided for an adjournment because a prorogation would have entitled the MNAs to charge traveling allowance for a fresh session that would have probably cost more and said the members could forgo the daily allowance if they wanted.

Chaudhry Nisar later said his party could agree to a debate even if it were delayed to some days just before the next budget.

PML-Q parliamentary leader Faisal Saleh Hayat supported the idea of holding the energy debate from Monday, but the chair ruled to stick to the committee decision as demanded by another PML-Q member Amir Muqam and PPP-S leader Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao.

Kashmir Affairs Minister Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo was the only speaker of the day who wound up the debate on the presidential address. He cited the oft-claimed achievements of the PPP-led coalition government.

While talking of the government’s reconciliation policy, he referred to recent PPP contacts with former political foes in the PML-Q and said “nobody should have any objection if things have moved forward”.

Earlier, the house passed a long-pending bill to provide for the reorganisation of the statistical system in Pakistan, to make it more responsive to national requirements by merging the present data-collecting organisations or attached departments into an autonomous Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

The house was adjourned, rather than prorogued, in line with a business advisory committee decision so it could meet again on May 9 without being summoned by the president and members and ministers concerned could use the intervening period to prepare for a serious debate on how to overcome the country’s energy shortages.

It was after acting Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi had declared a motion for vote of thanks to the president adopted by a voice vote at the end of a debate on last month’s presidential address to parliament that PML-N lawmakers shouted “no”, only to be ignored by the chair.

PML-N backbenchers had earlier moved to forward rows apparently on instructions to look, or sound, more impressive when the formal motion expressing the house’s “deep gratitude” to the president for his annual March 22 address to a joint sitting of the two houses of parliament was put to vote.

But after members of the ruling PPP and their allies voted “ayes” in support of the motion, PML-N members, for some unexplained reason, did not quickly respond when the chair called for the negative vote, and shouted “no” after the motion was declared carried.

A second embarrassment for the PML-N came later after opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan objected to Thursday’s decision by a house business advisory committee, on which PML-N was represented, to recess the present session until May 9 to prepare for the energy debate from that date, saying the long recess would cost heavy expenditure in daily allowances for 342 house members at the rate of Rs3,750 per day and that the PML-N would not attend if those allowances were paid or if the session were not brought forward to next Monday after the usual two-day weekend.

PPP chief whip Khursheed Ahmed Shah told the house that the advisory committee had decided for an adjournment because a prorogation would have entitled the MNAs to charge traveling allowance for a fresh session that would have probably cost more and said the members could forgo the daily allowance if they wanted.

Chaudhry Nisar later said his party could agree to a debate even if it were delayed to some days just before the next budget.

PML-Q parliamentary leader Faisal Saleh Hayat supported the idea of holding the energy debate from Monday, but the chair ruled to stick to the committee decision as demanded by another PML-Q member Amir Muqam and PPP-S leader Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao.

Kashmir Affairs Minister Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo was the only speaker of the day who wound up the debate on the presidential address. He cited the oft-claimed achievements of the PPP-led coalition government.

While talking of the government’s reconciliation policy, he referred to recent PPP contacts with former political foes in the PML-Q and said “nobody should have any objection if things have moved forward”.

Earlier, the house passed a long-pending bill to provide for the reorganisation of the statistical system in Pakistan, to make it more responsive to national requirements by merging the present data-collecting organisations or attached departments into an autonomous Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

The house was adjourned, rather than prorogued, in line with a business advisory committee decision so it could meet again on May 9 without being summoned by the president and members and ministers concerned could use the intervening period to prepare for a serious debate on how to overcome the country’s energy shortages.

It was after acting Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi had declared a motion for vote of thanks to the president adopted by a voice vote at the end of a debate on last month’s presidential address to parliament that PML-N lawmakers shouted “no”, only to be ignored by the chair.

PML-N backbenchers had earlier moved to forward rows apparently on instructions to look, or sound, more impressive when the formal motion expressing the house’s “deep gratitude” to the president for his annual March 22 address to a joint sitting of the two houses of parliament was put to vote.

But after members of the ruling PPP and their allies voted “ayes” in support of the motion, PML-N members, for some unexplained reason, did not quickly respond when the chair called for the negative vote, and shouted “no” after the motion was declared carried.

A second embarrassment for the PML-N came later after opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan objected to Thursday’s decision by a house business advisory committee, on which PML-N was represented, to recess the present session until May 9 to prepare for the energy debate from that date, saying the long recess would cost heavy expenditure in daily allowances for 342 house members at the rate of Rs3,750 per day and that the PML-N would not attend if those allowances were paid or if the session were not brought forward to next Monday after the usual two-day weekend.

PPP chief whip Khursheed Ahmed Shah told the house that the advisory committee had decided for an adjournment because a prorogation would have entitled the MNAs to charge traveling allowance for a fresh session that would have probably cost more and said the members could forgo the daily allowance if they wanted.

Chaudhry Nisar later said his party could agree to a debate even if it were delayed to some days just before the next budget.

PML-Q parliamentary leader Faisal Saleh Hayat supported the idea of holding the energy debate from Monday, but the chair ruled to stick to the committee decision as demanded by another PML-Q member Amir Muqam and PPP-S leader Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao.

Kashmir Affairs Minister Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo was the only speaker of the day who wound up the debate on the presidential address. He cited the oft-claimed achievements of the PPP-led coalition government.

While talking of the government’s reconciliation policy, he referred to recent PPP contacts with former political foes in the PML-Q and said “nobody should have any objection if things have moved forward”.

Earlier, the house passed a long-pending bill to provide for the reorganisation of the statistical system in Pakistan, to make it more responsive to national requirements by merging the present data-collecting organisations or attached departments into an autonomous Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

An army statement said the air-launched missile was fired on Friday.

It said the missile, named Hatf-VIII, was developed in Pakistan and has a range of 220 miles (350 kilometres).

Pakistan routinely tests nuclear-capable missiles that are designed to match those of nuclear-armed India.

An army statement said the air-launched missile was fired on Friday.

It said the missile, named Hatf-VIII, was developed in Pakistan and has a range of 220 miles (350 kilometres).

Pakistan routinely tests nuclear-capable missiles that are designed to match those of nuclear-armed India.

An army statement said the air-launched missile was fired on Friday.

It said the missile, named Hatf-VIII, was developed in Pakistan and has a range of 220 miles (350 kilometres).

Pakistan routinely tests nuclear-capable missiles that are designed to match those of nuclear-armed India.

One policeman and a militant were also wounded during the shootout in Balochistan province, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, police said.

A group of militants attacked a police vehicle in the town of Mir Hasan, about 360 kilometres southeast of Quetta.

“Police also returned the fire and the militants ran away after the encounter. Two policemen were killed and one was injured,” Saadullah Khetran, Naseerabad district police chief told AFP.

Two militants were also killed in the shootout and their bodies taken to a local hospital, Khetran added.

Impoverished Balochistan is wracked by an insurgency waged by ethnic Baloch tribes seeking greater autonomy from the federal government and a greater share of profits from the region’s wealth of oil and gas resources.

The region has also been hit by attacks blamed on Taliban militants, although sabotage of gas pipelines is a trademark of nationalist militants.

One policeman and a militant were also wounded during the shootout in Balochistan province, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, police said.

A group of militants attacked a police vehicle in the town of Mir Hasan, about 360 kilometres southeast of Quetta.

“Police also returned the fire and the militants ran away after the encounter. Two policemen were killed and one was injured,” Saadullah Khetran, Naseerabad district police chief told AFP.

Two militants were also killed in the shootout and their bodies taken to a local hospital, Khetran added.

Impoverished Balochistan is wracked by an insurgency waged by ethnic Baloch tribes seeking greater autonomy from the federal government and a greater share of profits from the region’s wealth of oil and gas resources.

The region has also been hit by attacks blamed on Taliban militants, although sabotage of gas pipelines is a trademark of nationalist militants.

One policeman and a militant were also wounded during the shootout in Balochistan province, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, police said.

A group of militants attacked a police vehicle in the town of Mir Hasan, about 360 kilometres southeast of Quetta.

“Police also returned the fire and the militants ran away after the encounter. Two policemen were killed and one was injured,” Saadullah Khetran, Naseerabad district police chief told AFP.

Two militants were also killed in the shootout and their bodies taken to a local hospital, Khetran added.

Impoverished Balochistan is wracked by an insurgency waged by ethnic Baloch tribes seeking greater autonomy from the federal government and a greater share of profits from the region’s wealth of oil and gas resources.

The region has also been hit by attacks blamed on Taliban militants, although sabotage of gas pipelines is a trademark of nationalist militants.

Thousands of campers pitched up Thursday, transforming The Mall, the road leading to Buckingham Palace, into a multicoloured sea of flags and outlandish headgear as enthusiasts vied for the best spot to cheer the newlyweds.

Some of them were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Prince William when he made an impromptu evening visit to shake hands with well-wishers, before retiring to spend his last night as a single man with his family.

William was heard telling his fans: “All I’ve got to do is get the lines right”.

A huge contingent of Britons was joined by many nationalities including Americans and Australians, who set up encampments with their countrymen to add an international flavour to William’s marriage to Kate Middleton.

“It’s the final countdown,” said Cindy Bernard, from Louisiana in the United States, wearing a bright red, wide-brimmed sunhat with a US flag fluttering from the top.

“We are getting more and more excited.”

Union Jack flags fluttered in the breeze along the broad, tree-lined road, which William and Kate will travel down after becoming man and wife, with enthusiasts sporting wacky outfits from plastic crowns to tuxedos.

As temperatures dropped and the sky clouded over, spirits remained high among the excited royalists spending the night in the international tent city.

Bernard, 53, and her friends had turned their campsite into a shrine to William and Kate, with homemade posters saying “Best wishes from America” and “True love really does exist”.

Despite having a hotel only several hundred metres away, they decided camping out was their only option with hundreds of thousands expected to pack the streets.

“We wanted to get front-row seats,” said Bernard. “We’ll be cheering and screaming.”

Less than 50 metres from the gates of Buckingham Palace, a group of Australians sporting hats with corks dangling from them set up base, plastering the metal security barriers with dozens of their country’s flags.

“We didn’t want to miss out on it,” said Gimyana Malek, a personal assistant working in the financial sector from Sydney, who had arrived at 9:00 am to get the prime spot.

“We could choose to watch it on TV but it is such a nice experience to be in the front row.”

While most of the campers began arriving early on Thursday to set up camp on The Mall, some took the race for a place even more seriously.

Margaret Tinsley was the first to arrive, pitching her tent at midday on Wednesday — a feat she also achieved for Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s wedding in 1986 and for the Queen Mother’s lying-in-state in 2002.

“We wanted to be first on The Mall, and we were,” said the retired 69-year-old, from the New Forest in southern England.

“When we got here yesterday, there was no one else, just us — we were the first this time and we were first last time.” Campers trying to get a good night’s sleep were awakened early Friday as fireworks lit up London’s night sky.

Predictions of wedding day rain did little to dampen spirits, with royal enthusiasts choosing to stock up on umbrellas from passing street sellers rather than retreat inside.

“We are not worried about the rain tomorrow, we’ll be here until the bitter end,” said Pru Marriott, a university lecturer in her 40s from Cardiff, Wales.

She was dressed as a daffodil — the national flower of Wales — in honour of the royals’ Welsh connections.

Prince Charles, William’s father, is officially called the Prince of Wales, and William lives on the Welsh island of Anglesey.

Age was no barrier to getting a good view of the biggest royal wedding for 30 years — Gwen Woolley, 73, from the village of Rocester in central England, planned to sleep out with only a sleeping bag and a blanket.

“I’m not at all worried about camping out overnight,” she said. “We’ll be cosy when we’ve got the sleeping bags on.”