Govt to implement economic reforms: PM

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Monday said his government was determined to implement economic reforms to ensure macro-economic stability in the country. The prime minister was talking to MP Alstair Burt, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office minister and Simson Fraser, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office permanent under secretary who met him at the Prime Minister’s House. The prime minister expressed his satisfaction at the launch of the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue between Pakistan and UK during Prime Minister Cameron’s visit to Islamabad last month. He called for an early progress in the agreed fields under the dialogue framework through institutionalisation of cooperation by utilising the existing fora of bilateral consultation.
The Prime Minister noted with appreciation the British government and its civil society’s assistance to Pakistan in the aftermath of earth-quake of 2005 and last year’s floods as well as for the rehabilitation of IDPs of Malakand and Swat. He hoped that Britain would remain engaged with Pakistan in the rehabilitation and reconstruction phases in the flood-affected areas. Gilani also expressed his government’s gratitude for the UK’s enhanced economic assistance to Pakistan, particularly for its education sector, which would enable his government to arrange schooling of four million more children.
Referring to his conversation over phone with Prime Minister David Cameron, the Prime Minister underlined the importance of contacts at the highest level and regular exchange of visits in order for the two countries to be on the same page on various matters.
The prime minister reiterated his government’s commitment and resolve to steadfastly pursue its campaign against terrorism and to support an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace and reintegration process for the restoration of peace in the war-torn country. Alstair Burt said the UK had always been appreciative of Pakistan’s crucial role and had full recognition of its unmatched human and economic sacrifices in the war against terror. UK was also sensitive towards the sentiments of the people in Pakistan in the aftermath of Osama Bin Laden’s killing, he added.