ISLAMABAD – Conceding the governance and corruption problems with his government like most of the developing states Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said that they were introducing reforms in various sectors and steps were underway to address the hiccups like mal-governance and other hurdles coming in the way of democratic government.
Speaking at Pakistan Development Forum in Islamabad on Monday, Prime Minister Gilani said that Pakistan was confronted with terrorism and on top of it devastation by unprecedented floods had inflicted loss of billions of dollars to the national exchequer.
Premier Gilani said that his government was ready to take unpopular decisions to meet the long-term challenge of reconstruction of infrastructure in flood-hit areas and to help resettle the affected people in their homes.
He said flood reconstruction would require billions in investment, while the countryÂ’s institutions also need to be reformed.
“We need your long term, consistent support in helping us support our institutions, our systems, so together we can continue on a journey which would make Pakistan, and its people, realise their full potential,” Gilani said.
He said his government believed in leading the people through painful yet fundamental reforms.
“We are prepared to take political risks for providing the necessary leadership to our people. We have demonstrated our will to take unpopular decisions. However, our resolve to lead our people to a glorious tomorrow is unflinching,” the Prime Minister told the gathering of delegates from 30 countries and 264 representatives from donor countries.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said Pakistan deeply appreciated the support and warmth of friendly countries and its bilateral and multilateral partners.
He said the extreme difficulties that the people of Pakistan, have faced over the last three years have “tested our resolve as a nation, our courage, our determination, our resilience.”
“We as a nation have proven our resolve, our courage and determination, our resilience.”
He said the destruction of lives and property, by the floods has been met through the benevolence of fellow Pakistanis, swift government action and timely international humanitarian support.”
Gilani acknowledged the services of the soldiers, government servants and NGOs for meeting the challenge of floods with devotion and diligence.
He, however, acknowledged the measures needed to meet the losses of billions of dollars and said, “We need to collect more revenues, require policy and tax administration reforms, promote growth and create employment opportunities.”
The Prime Minister said in an environment badly damaged by floods, and by frequent attacks by terrorists, the people must not lose hope.
“We want to give our people especially our youth, a message of hope,” Gilani said, but was critical of those who were projecting a completely negative image of Pakistan and called for a distinction between criticism of a government and criticism of the country.
“We are democrats and believe in freedom of speech. However, when such criticism envelops the nation then it is a cause of concern for all of us. All Pakistanis love Pakistan! We in government are also Pakistanis and we too love Pakistan.”
He elaborated and said, “Some choose to only look at our faults, and not at our achievements.”
Gilani said Pakistan has embarked on the way to help itself and pointed to the consensus on the 7th National Finance Commission Award and the 18th Amendment.
“We have committed ourselves to a timeline to reduce ministries at the federal level as enshrined in the 18th amendment. Ten ministries will be reduced shortly. The Council of Common Interests has been constituted and made fully functional,” Gilani said.
The Prime Minister said the government was now activating the public sector reform, required under the 18th Amendment.
He said his government was firmly committed to the economic reform agenda and change to improve economic governance in the country. He said the government was facing the challenge of raising domestic revenues and mentioned the measures that included introducing the Reformed GST in the Parliament.
He said to rationalise expenditures, his government removed the general subsidies and replaced these with targeted subsidies for the poor and vulnerable.
A social safety net was created through a transparent and technology driven response via the Benazir Income Support Programme, rehabilitation of the Malakand IDPs and the CitizensÂ’ Damage Compensation Programme.
He said a reform programme was being pursued to achieve a better level of governance.
“Please consider this as work in progress. Kindly be patient with Pakistan. We are a plural society trying to come to grips with our economic and social ethos. We look towards you for understanding and support.”
He said Pakistan was a large country, of more than 180 million people and remarkable diversity.
“Therefore, change would not come because of donor support to a few programmes. Your support and commitment is required over a much longer period, during which we can channelise your assistance towards institutional and structural reforms,” the Prime Minister said.