‘No one allowed to derail democracy’

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday once again reiterated that nobody would be allowed to derail the democratic process in the country.
“Internal situation of the country may be a point of concern for some of you, but let me assure you that the government is fully in control of the situation and will not allow anybody to pursue his personal agendas or derail the country from the path of economic prosperity and sustained democracy,” said Gilani, addressing the participants of National War College here at the National Defence University (NDU).
He said the government was pursuing a long-term strategy for building a modern, enlightened and progressive Pakistan that is on the road to progress and prosperity with a bright future ahead. He further said nothing could hamper growth, progress and development of the country and the prosperity of its people.
Gilani was confident that Pakistan could play a meaningful role in major global and regional policy initiatives because of its geo-strategic location and natural resources. He claimed the economy was gradually stabilising, internal environment improving and freedom of expression for media unprecedented. The PM said women were now politically empowered and democratic culture was maturing.
“We are living in very exciting as well as dangerous times. These are the times of great challenges and great opportunities, and it is up to us what we make of them,” Gilani observed and added terrorism was affecting Pakistan the most. “Poverty, unemployment and poor social indicators stand in the way of progress and the challenges today are broader and more diverse than ever imagined. We need to build the capacity to meet these challenges in a befitting manner,” he said. He said the government was doing everything to improve governance and fulfil its promises to the people.
He claimed the government was pursuing to improve governance, economy and law and order besides trying to reduce poverty. He said currently, electricity shortfall was around 4,000MW and the gap would increase in the coming years.