ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani expressed displeasure on Monday at the three-year performance of his cabinet, saying that numerous memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and agreements were signed in the last three years but had not resulted in economic or social development. “Despite signing agreements the ministries have been sending routine responses which do not reflect the true spirit behind the signing of these agreements … I feel had these agreements been properly executed, our economy and social sector as a whole and physical infrastructure would have significantly improved,” the premier said while addressing the federal cabinet. He told cabinet ministers to bring on record all agreements and MoUs signed so far, give an update on their current status and a roadmap for achieving the targets as agreed. He also denied the notion that a confrontation between state institutions was going to take place.
“An atmosphere of uncertainty is being created by certain quarters about the possibility of a confrontation between state institutions. Let me say that my government is committed to the ideals of democracy and constitutionalism and believes in the sovereignty of parliament and independence of the judiciary,” he said. The government was functioning within the domain defined by the Constitution and fully respected the decisions of the superior judiciary, he added. He said the issue of Raymond Davis would be resolved in the best national interest and according to the aspirations of the nation.
Gilani said PPP would not intrude in any way in the ambit of any other institution. Calling for the need for political reconciliation, Gilani said even though his party had serious reservations on issues of governance in Punjab, it tried to maintain a working relationship with the PML-N. He said that the PPP would never buy the loyalties of opposition members through horse-trading.
