Government reprioritising budgetary allocation

Gilani says govt reprioritising budgetary allocation and expenditures to save money.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said the government was reprioritising its budgetary allocations and expenditures to save money. He added that it was in this spirit that he had earlier called off his visit to the UN and now his scheduled visit to France and Belgium.

Gilani was talking to the participants of a conference titled, “Pakistan at Risk: Stabilisation Challenges after the Flood,” organised by the Jinnah Institute of Pakistan.

While reiterating the government’s commitment to strengthen democracy in the country, the prime minister said that political stability was vital to achieving economic stability.

“For economic stability, we need political stability,” Gilani said. He assured that with all the institutions in the country including the judiciary, the parliament and the executive working within the ambit of the Constitution, as well as a vibrant civil society and active media.

Gilani also assured the participants of the conference, which was attended by economic experts and senior officials from home and abroad, that the government is resolved to fight terrorism. He said improving the law and order situation and economic stabilisation are the two major priorities of the government. “With one suicide attack, capital flight ensues and investment is hampered”.

Similarly, the prime minister said that the government will create more resources and fiscal space to cope with the challenge of the floods by broadening the tax-base, as it is being said that Pakistan should also contribute “from its own pocket”. That is why Pakistan is seeking increased market access for its products in the international market with the view that “we want trade and not aid,” he added.

Gilani said he is supportive of the local government system, as he himself came to the existing position by participating in and holding positions locally.

Regarding the transparent utilisation of funds for the relief and rehabilitation of flood victims, Gilani said that there were no complaints when the government successfully handled the 2.5 million Internally Displaced People from Swat and Malakand, who were sent back to their homes in a record 90 days and were also given cash assistance through smart cards. He said there is a transparent auditing and accountability mechanism in the country, with the opposition leader having the slot of the Chairman Public Accounts Committee. He added that all important national decisions are being taken up for consensus at the forum of the Council of Common Interests (CCI), which has the representation from the federation and all provinces.

Gilani said that besides the establishment of the National Oversight Disaster Management Council, Diamer-Bhasha Dam project was also approved by the CCI with consensus, and other national issues including the proposed Kalabagh Dam project can also be taken up at the forum.

He said he was looking forward to the upcoming Friends of Democratic Pakistan meeting to be held in Brussels next month and the Pakistan Development Forum to be held in Pakistan later this year, for the assistance of the country in coping with the challenge of the floods.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 24^th, 2010.