PM wants to evolve broad consensus
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said the government wants to take all political forces along because its believes that the challenges which the nation confronts today need popular national support. He was talking to MNAs belonging to MQM here at his Parliament House chamber this evening.
The Prime Minister said that in the recent general elections the nation has given mandate to moderate and progressive forces in all the provinces, which has improved the country’s image among the comity of nations. The Prime Minister told the delegation that he is interacting with every member of the assembly in order to benefit from his/her views and experience.
Commenting on the wheat situation the Prime Minister said that crisis arose because of deficient policies of the previous government. He said the support price of wheat was not increased when it should have been done. Secondly, he added incorrect assessment was presented before the nation and huge quantities of wheat was allowed to be exported to other countries. As a result, he said, the country had to import wheat at higher price to meet the domestic requirement. The Prime Minister while deliberating upon the steps being taken by the government to overcome the wheat and Atta crisis said the support price of wheat has been increased to encourage the farmers and support procurement efforts. Simultaneously, he said strict measures are being taken to control smuggling.
The Prime Minister said that in order to overcome the power crisis the government is following a two-pronged approach of encouraging conservation and setting up plants for electricity generation. He said the foundation stone of one power plant has already been laid while a comprehensive energy policy is being formulated in the context of long-term strategy.
The MNAs apprised the Prime Minister of various issues relating to urban areas of Sindh particularly Karachi including load-shedding, Atta shortage. They assured him that MQM would support every positive step of the government. They appreciated the Prime Minister’s announcement of allocating Rs. 10 million for every MNA. They also appreciated the reconciliatory approach of the government and expressed the confidence that the government would be able to successfully meet the challenges which confront the nation today.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said that despite economic constraints the government is converging all its efforts to ensuring relief to the common man. A number of short term and long term measures are being adopted to help improve the living conditions of the people, the Prime Minister added.
He was talking to the delegation from different walks of life which called on him here at the PM Secretariat to congratulate him on assuming the responsibilities as Prime Minister of Pakistan. The Prime Minister said that in order to address the Atta crisis the government has decided to import 1.5 million tons of wheat and has accelerated the domestic wheat procurement process which would help ease the situation.
He said the government would ensure sufficient stocks in all provinces to ensure availability of Atta to the consumers.