Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday said the government was in full control of the internal situation and would not allow any body pursue vested personal agendas, or derail the country from path of economic prosperity and sustained democracy.
Addressing the participants of the National War College here at the National Defence University, Prime Minister Gilani said the government was fully aware of all the issues and was dealing with the situation prudently and effectively. He said it would ensure that nothing stands between the realisation of the dreams of growth, progress and development of Pakistan and prosperity of its people.
Prime Minister Gilani in his address on "My Vision of Future Pakistan" deliberated in length on the issues facing the country and the measures being taken by the government to tackle these. He said a long-term strategy was in place for building a modern, enlightened and progressive Pakistan that values the spirit of inquiry, critical and independent thought and public duty. "Pakistan is self assured of its destined role to play according to the aspirations of people of Pakistan. Pakistan indeed is on the road to progress and prosperity with a bright future ahead."
He said he has great pride and confidence in the people of Pakistan who have, time and again, proved that they are capable of overcoming the challenges successfully. Gilani said Pakistan was arguably in an "unprecedented era of transformation" and has emerged as an important country particularly since 9/11. He said Pakistan because of its geo-strategic location, reservoir of human resources, natural resources, achievements and potential, can play a meaningful role in major global and regional policy initiatives.
He said Pakistan now has a turbulent but gradually stabilising economy; improving internal environment, unprecedented freedom of expression for media and active participation of civil society. Gilani said women were now politically empowered and democratic culture was now setting in.
"I indeed see with optimism a very bright future for Pakistan, should we continue to remain on course by following the policies put in place with pragmatism and realism." "We are living in very exciting as well as very dangerous times. These are the times of great challenges and great opportunities, and it is up to us, what we make of them."
Gilani said extremism and terrorism was affecting Pakistan the most. Poverty, unemployment and poor social indicators stand in the way of progress and the challenges today are broader and more diverse than ever imagined. "We need to build the capacity to meet these challenges in a befitting manner," he said.
He said the government was doing everything to improve governance and deliver on its promises to the people. He said major structural reforms have been undertaken including; the banking, capital market, labour, petroleum sector, industry and agriculture. He said the government believed in clean and transparent governance and accountability was being effectively implemented at the national level. Speaking on his future vision Gilani said it "lies in pursuing a policy of reconciliation and consensus."
"I believe that Pakistan's salvation lies in democracy. Our government has been successful because of our reconciliatory policy and democratic approach regarding all national issues." He said since assuming power, the government was pursuing to improve governance, economy and law and order while trying to reduce poverty. The fundamental basis was deregulation, and encouraging the private sector to play an active role in economic development. He said it would allow us to change the direction of economy and improve rating in the capital markets.
He said the government was making efforts for macroeconomic stabilisation, and structural reforms in finance, energy, water security, agriculture, infrastructure development, and social sectors. Regarding power and water crises, he said the current electricity shortage was around 4000 MW and the gap would increase in coming years. He said to overcome the energy crisis a strategy has been formulated to address this in short and long-term. New power units are being set up. Work has started on Diamer-Bhasha Dam and launched Thar Coal electricity generation project. Investments in Keti Bandar project were also being invited, he added.
He said the economic losses due to the War On Terror and the devastation by recent floods have retarded recovery and growth of Pakistan's economy. However, Gilani said with some harsh and unpleasant economic decisions, in the best interest of Pakistan, the economy was slowly gathering momentum. "Despite all economic handicaps, the government is doing its best to attract FDI and facilitate private investment in the country."
He said the inflationary trend witnessed in the recent past was now under check. Given the current inflationary trend, the average inflation was likely to be close to 10 to 12 percent in the future. Gilani said with an improved law and order situation, the future of Pakistan's economy was bright. He pointed that growth in large scale manufacturing would ensure good performance of the sector.
The buoyant activity in housing and construction, telecom sector, banking and finance and wholesale and retail trade will help achievement of the desired growth targets. Besides investment-friendly interest rate environment will encourage the private sector to play their leading role in achieving the growth target.
Gilani said still a lot remains to be done and pointed that sound macroeconomic policies and their continuity, financial discipline, internal and regional stability will be the key factors affecting sustained growth and the country's economic future.
He said the future of Pakistan lies in creating gender equality environment in the country. He said the government has taken initiatives to improve gender equality and continues to advocate elimination of discrimination against women and children.
He said the government would continue to engage with local women rights NGOs and provide support to strengthen penalties for domestic violence and honour killings and reform the discriminatory provisions of legal system. He said strategies to combat child labour and human trafficking were being accelerated in co-operation with international agencies.
On the human rights front, the government with civil society institutions and international organisations was combating religious discrimination and violence, human trafficking and legalised discrimination against women.The ceremony was attended by President NDU General Farooq Umer Agha and the participants of the NDU war course.