Democracy guarantor of peace, prosperity: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said democracy is guarantor of peace and prosperity and the government will continue building consensus with all political parties to resolve issues facing the country.

In his address to the nation here on Sunday at a ceremony at Convention Centre to mark Pakistan's 65th Independence Day, the Prime Minister said the parliament is about to complete its four years and political leadership of Pakistan agrees that it will succeed in stabilising democracy, which is solution to all problems.

The Prime Minister felicitated the nation on its 65th Independence Day and paid rich tributes to founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and leaders of Pakistan Movement for providing a spirited leadership which created the world's first ideological state through democratic struggle.

"The creation of Pakistan was the best example of democratic struggle," he noted.

The Prime Minister also praised PPP leaders Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto for laying down their lives for democratic ideals and rights of people.

He vowed to continue working for strengthening democracy by sustaining the process of reconciliation through consultations with the political parties.

"All issues can be resolved through consensus and understanding."

The Prime Minister mentioned recent reforms in FATA which brought changes in Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) and allowed political parties to start activities with extension in Political Parties Order 2002 and said the reforms will enable the people to take hold of their destiny.

He lauded the scientists of SUPARCO for bringing Pakistan at par with other countries in field of space technology by launching a new satellite to meet communication needs of Pakistan.

He pointed that people of Pakistan were democracy minded and democratic friendly in their temperament and attitude and think that it is vital that at federal level rights of provinces should be protected.

It is top priority of the democratic government to run affairs in provinces with mutual agreement and in this spirit provincial autonomy was given under the 18th amendment, he added.

He said after a decade, through the 7th NFC award, federal government substantially increased the financial resources of provinces which is a big success.

Prime Minister Gilani said those regions which were ignored in the past, were given rights, powers and recognition by the government and now Gilgit Baltistan has internal autonomy.

He assured that the federal government will not ignore the education sector despite devolution of ministry to the provinces under the 18th amendment.

Soon a national education conference will be held with the consultation of provinces and decisions will be taken with mutual understanding to promote the process of creating harmony in education, he added.

The Prime Minister said his government took important steps to empower women including quota for seats in assemblies and appointment of ombudswoman.

The assembly has approved a law to end the tendency of harassment of female employees after which they can perform their jobs with more confidence and freedom, he told.

He expressed satisfaction that more women are gaining higher education and are fully participating in progress and development of national life.

He assured that all available resources were being used for the welfare of the younger generation.

Gilani said Pakistan is faced with the challenge of terrorism but the whole nation is united to thwart the threat.

All political leaders and people are backing the government in the war against terrorism and officers and jawans of armed forces, police and personnel of law enforcement along with civil society and administration are performing an exemplary role for end of terrorism, he added.

On behalf of the nation, the Prime Minister saluted the officers and jawans of armed forces who laid down their lives and expressed the determination to completely eradicate terrorism.

Referring to rehabilitation of three million displaced people of Swat and Malakand in a short period, he said the government spent more than Rs8.5 billion to provide financial assistance of Rs25000 to every person.

The displaced persons were given facilities of food, clean drinking water and health in the relief camps, he added.

He said the nation has gained confidence with the success of armed forces in Swat and praised the political leadership, relief agencies and government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for their coordinated relief efforts.

Gilani said after the restoration of peace in Malakand and Swat, now the nation and law enforcement institutions are making coordinated efforts to keep peace in South Waziristan.

He mentioned the heroic role of armed forces in helping nation in every hour of need.

"Last year during floods our army jawans saved lives of citizens while putting their lives in danger and they deserve appreciation of the nation."

The Prime Minister said floods of last year and terrorism severely damaged the national economy and economic losses due to terrorism amount to $65 billion.

He said the government inherited the energy crisis as during the past dictatorial rule not a single mega power project was planned.

He pledged that the nation will soon get rid of unannounced loadshedding due to effective steps of the government.

"Work is continuing on Bhasha dam and Munda dam and it has been decided to provide necessary funds for Thar Coal project. Despite unfavourable conditions, 3000 megawatts of electricity have been added," he continued.

Gilani said a committee headed by Federal Minister for Finance has been set up which will give suggestions on emergency basis to overcome the energy crisis.

The Prime Minister said the government was formulating a strategy with the help of provinces to decrease price-hike.

During Ramadan, he said subsidy of Rs2 billion have been given at the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) so that people could get essential items at lower prices and financial help has been given to six million families through Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).

Workers are being made shareholders in Benazir Stock Option Scheme and internship programme has been launched for unemployed youth, he added.

Pension of retired government employees has been increased by 15 to 20 percent and substantial raise has been given in the salaries of government employees, armed forces and judiciary. Temporary employees have been made permanent and employees sacked in 1997 have been restored to their jobs, he enumerated.

The Prime Minister said some decisions were taken on the recommendations of economic experts to improve financial health of the country and these steps brought positive effects and people supported these decisions.

"The level of remittances by Pakistanis living abroad, who are a precious asset, is very encouraging and now our foreign exchange reserves are reaching an all time high of $18 billion."

Acknowledging the role of religious scholars in the mental and intellectual training of society, Gilani said teachings of ulema are beacon for people and he would meet religious scholars for guidance soon.

He said Pakistan belongs to all and everybody has to think and act to make it a better place.

"We should not ask what our country has given to use but should ask what we have given to our country."

Touching upon foreign relations, the Prime Minister said Pakistan's policy was being taken ahead on principles of peaceful co- existence and mutual harmony and understanding.

"We want to promote relations with all countries on basis of goodwill and equality."

He said Pakistan's relations with China are of historic importance and friendship with it is an important pillar of the country's foreign policy.

"Pak-China friendship, in real terms is higher than the Himalayan mountains and deeper than sea."

"With the brother Islamic country Saudia Arabia, our relations of brotherhood will continue forever," he said adding during his recent visit to Saudi Arabia, Saudi King Shah Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz stated that ties between their people go beyond the relations as a friend and brother.

He said relations were being promoted with all Islamic countries and people and government of Turkey have deep appreciation for Pakistan.

He said Pakistan has historic and geographical ties with Iran and implementation will soon start on an agreement on the gas pipeline project with Iran.

Gilani said Pakistan sincerely desires restoration of peace in Afghanistan and wants to see it as a prosperous, stable and independent country.

The Prime Minister further said Pakistan wants to resolve issues with its neighbour India through process of dialogue so that both countries can get rid of blights of poverty, illiteracy and backwardness.

Calling relations with the United States vital for Pakistan, he said, "We are ever ready for cooperation with our friends but we will not accept hegemony of anybody."

He said relations are being further improved with all countries of European Union including Britain and efforts are underway to gain access to American and European markets and in this connection some success has been achieved.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011