Stability is essential for economic growth and democracy ensures it with all institutions performing their roles within their constitutional domain, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Tuesday. “We believe that all institutions should perform their functions in their respective domains, efficiently and effectively… close coordination and cooperation – both vertical and horizontal – at the federal and provincial levels is important. There is certainly the need to maintain a positive trajectory and pursuer it with full confidence,” the prime minister said while speaking as a guest at a presentation “National Security Papers” at the National Defence University. He said “our institutions are stable and have a rich history and tradition”, and pointed that the media, civil service, armed forces, judiciary and above all, parliament, were all anchored in constitution, law, rules and traditions.
“There is certainly the need to maintain a positive trajectory and to pursue it with full confidence,” he said. The prime minister said Pakistan was undergoing a swift and profound societal transformation. “Democracy and democratic institutions continue to foster change, impelled also by information revolution, internet and the microchip. It is, indeed, remarkable that our people and institutions have not only been able to cope with the peace of change but also demonstrate immense resilience to the challenges that we face. On the social and economic front, there is a legitimate rise in expectations for a better life and for equal opportunity,” he said. Gilani vowed that while prioritising economic development to increase national strength, the government would continue to endeavour to create a stable external environment that was conducive to economic growth. He said turmoil and turbulence had engulfed various regions of the world. “Much of the developed world is witnessing recessionary trends. The world economy has witnessed structural changes. Fiscal deficits, widespread indebtedness, unemployment and other related issues are impacting politics and governments,” he said, adding that strife and conflict were also in evidence in various parts of the world. However, he said it was evident that Asia, as a whole, had done well economically as the economic fundamentals for Asia were positive. Gilani said there was a strong sense and sentiment that Pakistan had the capacity and the talent to work the economic miracle and be counted as a leading economy in the region.
