Gilani gets unanimous vote, announces 100 day policy

Category: Articles/Opinion
Written by: Amend Foster (on March 30, 2008 - 10:23 AM)

E-Mail Article to a Friend

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Saturday became the first Prime Minister of the country to get a unanimous vote of confidence from the lower house. Opposition benches also voted in his favour as a gesture of goodwill.

Shortly after receiving the unanimous vote, Gilani announced his government's 100 day policy which contains many populist measures to gain the confidence of the people of Pakistan.

In major moves, the Premier has announced abolishing the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) applicable to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). He has also removed bans on student and trade unions. He also announced that the media regulatory authority (PEMRA) would be brought under the control of the Information Ministry and its law would be changed.

The Premier himself being a victim of the National Accountability Bureau announced that the NAB would be brought under the control of the judiciary.

He announced that ministers of his cabinet will be limited to 1600cc cars and that special counters at all airports for parliamentarians would be abolished. They will all travel in the economy-plus class in domestic flights.

The PM increased the wheat support price to Rs625 per 40kg from the present Rs510, a move that would be welcomed and cheered by the farming community, but may lead to more inflation in food prices.

He also spoke on foreign affairs briefly, saying that his government wanted close and strong ties with America and Europe.

In another move, he announced that the minimum wage would be fixed at Rs. 6000.

The prime minister said the country was now beset with crises, on the top of the list being the crises of electricity, water, atta (flour) and high prices.

“We don’t want to tell lies, we want to take our people into confidence,” he said. “I have to say with utmost regret that no immediate solution to these crises is possible.”

We wish the new Premier all the best!

Share your thoughts by posting a Talk-Back: