Govt willing to take difficult decisions; Gilani

     
ISLAMABAD, Nov 15 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday said his government was willing to take “unpopular decisions” to meet the long term challenge of flood reconstruction, institutional and structural reforms, for “a glorious tomorrow.”He was addressing the plenary session of the Pakistan Development Forum, convened to share with the development partners the future vision of Pakistan in the wake of over US $10 billion losses to the national economy due to the devastating floods.Gilani said Pakistan has been able to meet the immediate challenges posed by the floods and by terrorism. Yet there were long term challenges that were daunting.
He said flood reconstruction would require billions in investment, while the country’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, realize 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.
The forum is being attended by US Special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke, Vice President of World Bank and ADB, UK Minister for International development, senior officials of the IMF, civil society organizations including Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said Pakistan deeply appreciates 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, 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, promulgated 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 rationalize expenditures, his government removed the general subsidies and replace 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 Citizens’ 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 channelize your assistance towards institutional and structural reforms,” the Prime Minister said.