PM sets out priorities
Offers talks to militants —Media muzzling laws to go —NAB abolished —Ban on student unions lifted
By Asghar Ali Mubarak

ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday spelt out the priorities of his government by announcing measures to combat terrorism, price hike, unemployment and poverty, setting up of new power plants and fixing minimum wage of Rs 6000 for the labourers. Speaking in the National Assembly after taking vote of confidence, he said maintaining law and order in the country would be the top priority of his government for which terrorism needs to be rooted out.
“We are ready to talk to all those who are ready to lay down their arms and wanted peace,” he said. He said he would announce a special package for tribal areas to give them employment and to remove their backwardness and other social evils. The Prime Minister also announced to revoke FCR. He welcomed the announcement of the Chief of the Army Staff that all army personnel from the civil departments will be called back.
“This announcement by the COAS will enhance the dignity, respect and honour of the army.” He expressed the hope that all the army personnel from civilian departments will be called back within two weeks. The Prime Minister said his government will take steps for the restoration of deposed judges. As a first step, these judges have already been freed from detention.
Referring to power, flour and water crises in the country, Prime Minister Gilani said these problems were not easy to tackle. He said there was a possibility of more load shedding in the country during the summer season. He said to overcome the electricity shortage in the country, which at present stands at 3000 megawatt, new power units will be set up and PEPCO has been asked to issue 10 million energy saver bulbs at discounted prices. The shortage next year, he added, is expected to reach 4000 MW.
He said in the first phase of Thar Coal Project the electricity generation will be 5,000 mw which will increase to 20,000 mw in the next phase. He said Wapda has been asked to complete the feasibility of large dams and investment in the project of Keti Bandar will be invited again and lighting on government buildings has been stopped. To save the wastage of water, he added, canals will be brick lined and small dams constructed to ensure supply of water for irrigation and drinking purposes.
He said the budget of the Prime Minister House will be cut by 40 percent and hoped that other departments too will follow the example. The cabinet members will not use a vehicle of more than 1600 cc and they will only be allowed Economy Plus class during air travel. He said like many other democratic countries, during the Question Hour the Prime Minister would also be present in the house to answer questions.
To provide employment to the fresh graduates, Prime Minister announced the setting up of Literacy and Health Commission. It will also ensure employment to one person in a household. He said a Madrassa Welfare Authority will be set up to carry out the audit of the accounts of all madrassas in the country. The authority will be responsible to ensure that curricula of all madrassas are uniform.
The Prime Minister said that every year one million housing units will be constructed in the country. He also announced the launch of 5-marla housing scheme in rural areas for the poor besides provision of houses on 80 square meters and flats in the cities for the general public. He said all retiring government servants will be given flats or houses and the provinces have also been directed to launch similar schemes for the retired persons.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said to make country self-sufficient in the production of edible oil, for which the government spends one billion dollars annually on its import, cultivation of sunflower will be encouraged. He announced enhancement of wheat support price from Rs 510 to Rs 625 and crop insurance for farmers who owned agricultural land. To keep the environment clean, he said the government will encourage CNG-run buses.
The Prime Minister said National Accountability Bureau (NAB), which in the past carried out selected accountability and was directly under the executive, will now be placed under judiciary. To discourage VIP culture in the country, he said special counters at the airport will be abolished.