News
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Democratic forces should show maturity to address issues: PM
* Gilani welcomes newly inducted ministers from PML-Q, MQM; hopes that allies will help overcome difficulties facing nation
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday urged all democratic forces to show maturity and wisdom in addressing national issues at such a critical juncture.
In his opening remarks at a meeting of the federal cabinet, the first after the Abbottabad incident, Gilani said the cabinet now comprises of leaders from all major political parties who are aware of the problems confronting the country and also have the will and determination to resolve them.
The prime minister welcomed the newly inducted federal ministers and ministers of state from the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and from the Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) as “partners” and hoped that the allies would help overcome the difficulties facing the nation. He said he strongly believes that politics of confrontation needs to be shunned and all democratic forces need to show sincerity of purpose, maturity and wisdom in addressing national issues.
Gilani said the country was beset with economic and security challenges that can be addressed by working together. He said Pakistan’s economic situation was improving and foreign exchange reserves were at their highest, with remittances from abroad standing at an all-time high of $9 billion until April 2011.
He said the country’s export earnings for the first 10 months of the financial year 2010-11 had crossed $20 billion, which again was a record. Prime Minister Gilani hoped that the partners in the government would not only bring political stability and strengthen democracy, but would also do their part in sending a positive signal to investors, businessmen and trade circles about its commitment to continue with economic, financial and social reforms.
“We are open to new ideas and innovation that I am sure our partners will bring with them in taking charge of their responsibilities,” he said. He hoped that transparency and optimum standards of efficiency in performance of duties would be maintained.
Referring to the Abbottabad incident the prime minister said he had given an elaborate policy statement in the National Assembly and Senate, and said a joint session of parliament was also being held to discuss it.
Senior Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said that since day one, when the PML-Q gave a vote of confidence to the prime minister, his party was committed that the democratic government should be given all possible support to complete its five-years term.
Keeping in view the present circumstances and realising the fact that the government needs political support to face the national challenges, the PML-Q decided to join the government. His party, he added, feels that political stability can bring economic stability and peace in the country. The prime minister said the situation demands greater political cohesion to confront the challenges. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk