15-01-2011  13:15:58
Political leadership to stand together to address economic challenges; Gilani
ISLAMABAD, Jan 14 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday urged political leadership of the country to stand united to collectively find a solution to the economic challenges.Chairing the mid-term economic review meeting here at the PM Secretariat, Gilani said since the Budget was passed unanimously by the Parliament, the financial challenges of the country also need to be shared, to find a solution through collective wisdom.The Prime Minister directed that a five-member committee be formed for dialogue with all the parliamentary parties and it should contact their leadership to ascertain their availability for consultation on national economic challenges.
He said the political leadership needs to come up with proposals for resolving the financial difficulties of the country.
Gilani said the people of Pakistan need to be kept informed of the economic challenges and the measures being taken to confront these.
The Minister of Finance briefed the participants on the state of national economy and the economic challenges being faced by the country in wake of the devastating floods, war against terrorism, national security needs and international recession.
He said the objective of the reconciliatory process and consultation with political leadership was to develop consensus and take decisions in the larger national interest.
The Secretary Finance in his presentation apprised the participants of the meeting about the budgetary position and probabilities at the close of financial year.
He also elaborated upon energy shortage and international price hike, the state of economy in general and the budget in particular.