Foreign exchange reserves rise to $14.2 billion due to government's prudent policies: Gilani

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the foreign exchange reserves have risen to $14.2 billion from just $6 billion and prudent policies of the government have put the national economy on the right track. Addressing a gathering of PPP workers, office-bearers, MNAs and MPAs at the circuit house here late on Tuesday night.
He said that the law and order problem was inter-linked with economy, but the government tackled it successfully for economic recovery and subsequent stability and growth. He lauded the armed forces and acknowledged the sacrifices offered by the jawans and officers in the fight against terrorism.
He said that every development project, worth over Rs 100 million, would be monitored by PM's Inspection Commission. He urged the MNAs and MPAs to organise and strengthen the party at union council level. He said that PPP was the biggest political party of the country. He said that a committee would be formed to solve the problems of party workers.
The rime Minister said that PPP is the name of an ideology and its workers always remained committed to the mission of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. He said that people are the real power and party will continue to strive for empowerment of the poor people.
He said that PPP could have formed its own government after general elections but it opted for coalition government and thus laid the foundation of politics of reconciliation. He said that government will overcome the loadshedding problem through long-term and short-term plans and problem relating to shortage of Sui gas will be addressed by promoting LPG and other means of energy. He said that some elements intend to hamper the way of the government by bringing people onto the streets on electricity issue. But they will not be allowed to succeed in their evil intentions.
He said that the biggest challenge that the country is facing at present is of Balochistan. The government is interacting with the Baloch leadership, he said, and added that the issue would finally be resolved at table with all the stakeholders and political leaders after PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif returns from abroad.
He termed the Balochistan issue as a big problem and added that the political leadership and stakeholders were being taken on board to determine a direction that will be adopted by the whole nation and the coming generations for a prosperous Balochistan. He said that recommendations of the committees formed earlier and those working on the Balochistan issue now would be taken into consideration while determining the direction to address the Balochistan problem.
He said: "We will act like big brother for Balochistan to end the sense of deprivation among the people. They remained neglected during last 62 years but the government is determined to solve all their problems." He said that annulment of the 17th amendment was a promise made by Benazir Bhutto while President Zardari has also talked about its abolishment in the Parliament twice.
He said the government's policy against terrorism is very clear. The soil of Pakistan will not be allowed to be used for terror activities, he added. He said the government will not embark on any pursuit which is in clash with country's interest or Parliament's decision. He said the Accountability Bill will be tabled in the Parliament soon.
He said any action against Jamiatud Dawah chief Saeed would be taken in accordance with the evidence. Pakistan wishes to resolve water and Kashmir disputes with India through negotiations on the table. He stressed that the two powers should decide to move forward and focus on the wellbeing of their poverty-ridden people, and added that it will pave the way for a socio-economic revolution in the region.
He said that 1.25 billion people of the two countries need development, education, health facilities, business, investment to have their problems addressed. Gilani said that Pakistan wants good relations with neighbouring countries including India on the basis of equality. He underscored the need for accountability for all including PM and members of the parliament, adding that the Accountability Bill would soon be tabled in the National Assembly."There is hairline difference between accountability and vengeance, and we will have to be on guard that no action is taken against country and nation. We resolve not do anything in exclusion of the parliament."
The PM said, 'We want to take along the politics of reconciliation and will concertedly steer the country clear of the crisis.' He said the government urged the militants to lay down arms and they complied. The government did not hold anyone responsible for the power crisis and took up the gauntlet as its responsibility."Balochistan is our brother and we will end their sense of deprivation. The problems cannot end in one day. However, headway is underway, as the constitutional issues are being resolved."
Gilani said the government pledged to lift restrictions on media and it fulfilled its promise, adding the government would be stabilised with a stable parliament. He expressed concern over the long queues of the people for subsidised atta and said that poor people would be extended support to get subsidised atta under Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) without any inconvenience. He made it clear there was no shortage of wheat flour in the country adding that Pakistan has surplus stock and is in a position to export it. He said that poor people would also get 200 electricity units free of cost. Prime Minister said that politics of confrontation would benefit none, neither country nor people, and added that "we must learn from the past".
He said that all political forces should work together to steer the country out of trouble. "It is our responsibility to promote the politics of reconciliation and strengthen the country. He said: "Who else will do it for the country if we don't opt for it today?" He added that PPP wants to promote the politics of reconciliation while pursuing the vision of Benazir Bhutto.
He said that PPP formed coalition governments soon after general elections. He added that he himself remained a victim of political victimisation and faced jail hardships but there does not exist any political prisoner confined in any jail in the country today. Gilani said that PPP believes in across the board accountability but added there is difference between accountability and victimisation. He said, "We have seen in past that those who conceded to the demands of the ruler enjoyed power but others who refused to compromise on principles remained confined in jails."
He said that parliament will decide which kind of accountability should be introduced. He lauded political leaders for supporting government's strategy against terrorism, saying they exhibited maturity by supporting a noble cause while setting aside differences. He said that government achieved successful results in the operation because unlike previous regime it had the support of the people and their representatives. The successful strategy forced terrorists carrying head money worth millions of rupees to surrender and lay down their arms.
The Prime Minister lauded jawans and officers of armed forces, law enforcement agencies, FC and the people for offering numerous sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. He said that PPP has roots in all the four provinces and the party is surviving successfully and enjoying popular support among the people due to the sacrifices offered by pioneering PPP leader Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto, and countless party workers, who suffered hardships in jails, Shahi Qila but never compromised on principles.
He said that Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto kept fighting for the rights of the people and sacrificed their lives for the noble cause. He said it was the governments of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto which gave rights to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and now the incumbent government has given them the internal autonomy.
Mentioning the problem of loadshedding, Gilani said that the government inherited this problem from the previous regime which had failed to address energy requirements of the country during nine long years. But the present government has accepted this challenge boldly and will solve this problem through short-term, medium-term and long-term strategies.
Recalling the criticism on IPPs during Benazir Bhutto's government, he said that situation would have been much worse today had Benazir not opted for IPPs at that time to meet country's energy requirements. He said that rental power projects were also being criticised but added that they were necessary to supply electricity till the time the long-term plans are completed to enhance capacity of the national grid.
PPP had solved the energy problems then and is committed to overcome this problem today too, the premier added. He said, mega projects like Bhasha Diamer Dam and Neelam Jhelum project were being undertaken to address the water problem and electricity shortage.
The Prime Minister announced construction of Nishter Ghat bridge over river Indus from Kot Mithan to Chachran to meet a longstanding demand of the people. He said that government was paying special attention to uplift of southern Punjab to end the sense of deprivation among the people.
Rajanpur district that remained deprived of Sui gas for many years is undergoing development to enable people get this facility. He said that the under execution project of Head Muhammad Wala bridge will serve as an economic opening and will link Multan, Muzaffargarh and Layyah districts. He added that Aiman Wala Pattan bridge will reduce distance between Karachi and Multan by 74 kilometres.
He said that Multan development package will benefit the people in a big way and added that he will instruct officials concerned to remove hurdles, if any, in way of execution of the schemes under this development package. Development is the right of the people and government is working hard to ensure that people should get their rights.
Hei said that Pakistan and its development will be the focus of the forthcoming meeting of Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP) to be co-chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari, US President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. He said he hopes the FoDP meeting to be held on sidelines of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session would yield good results.
When asked about Saeed, he said that investigation was continuing and action will be taken on the basis of evidence. He reiterated commitment that Pakistan would not allow its soil to be used by terrorists. He said: "I think that he (Saeed) is in custody."
Gilani said that parliament is sovereign and all decisions are being taken at the forum of parliament. He added that no agreement has worth sans ratification by the parliament and the fact that parliament has not yet indemnified the former President Musharraf is sufficient to prove that parliament is functioning independently while maintaining its sovereignty. He said that the time frame to solve Balochistan issue will be announced after consulting all political leaders and stakeholders after Eid ul Fitr.
The premier added that PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, who was out of the country, would return in a few days and consultations with him and all other political leaders and stakeholders will be held after Eid to move forward on solving Balochistan issue. On reported US embassy expansion, he said that government is loyal to the country and would not take any step that goes against the interests of the country.
He said that repeal of 17th amendment was a promise made by Benazir and this promise will be fulfilled. He said that Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif had signed the Charter of Democracy (CoD) and President Asif Ali Zardari has also reiterated his commitment twice during his addresses to the joint sitting of the parliament to implement the CoD. He said that Chief Minister has announced to give Multan the status of big city and hoped that the decision will be implemented after completion of proper procedure.
When a journalist drew PM's attention towards the conditions of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and the on-going survey under BISP, Gilani said that he will talk to the chairman of BISP to look into the matter to review conditions.
To another question, PM said that payment to women under BISP was temporarily suspended in those districts where poverty survey was in progress. To a question on issue relating to separate province, PM Gilani said that time was not suitable to raise such issues adding that country was facing many challenges including terrorism and cannot afford instability at this critical point of time. Prime Minister said that federal government will soon release Rs 75 million for the Journalists Colony in Multan.