Summary Raja thanked all democratic forces‚ institutions for playing their role in strengthening democracy.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – PM Raja Pervaiz Ashraf in his farewell address to the nation said it is the first time in Pakistan’s history that a democratically elected government has completed its full five-year tenure.
Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said constitutional transfer of power by an elected government is victory of the democratic forces.
In his farewell address to the nation aired on state-run media and private TV channels, Raja thanked all democratic forces and institutions that played their role in strengthening the democracy.
The Prime Minister pointed out that going by the fact that the present government remained victim of negative propaganda and concocted allegations‚ completion of term by the government was an extraordinary and historic event. He said democratic process went through various difficulties‚ challenges and trials in its journey.
Raja Pervez Ashraf said the government faced bitter criticism during the last 5 years but it upheld the freedom of media and cooperated with it so that media could play its role in the development of the democratic traditions.
Referring to the situation of the country in 2008 when the present government took over‚ he said the state was facing dreaded crises and the country was almost isolated at the international level. Economy was in bad shape‚ there was energy crisis‚ foreign exchange reserves had depleted to dangerous levels‚ country was facing food shortages and its survival was threatened by terrorism.
He said in order to salvage the country‚ the government promoted national harmony‚ improved performance of institutions‚ laid foundations of an independent foreign policy and national flag was hoisted once again in Swat.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that the government could not do enough during the last 5 years but added that it lessened the problems it inherited and strengthened roots of the democracy so that no one could ambush it in future.
Recounting 5 year achievements of the government‚ he said pursuing vision of reconciliation of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto‚ President Asif Ali Zardari initiated the policy of consensus and reconciliation and as a consequence country s first woman speaker was unanimously elected beside unanimous election of the Prime Minister. 1973 constitution was restored in its original form through unanimous 18th‚ 19th and 20th amendments while almost all legislation was done through consensus.
He said the government approved 7th NFC award devolving more financial resources to provinces and fulfilling longstanding demand for provincial autonomy.
The Prime Minister said it was for the first time in the history of the country that President Zardari voluntarily handed over his powers to the Parliament. It was also for the first time in the history of the country that the government presented it for accountability by appointing leader of the Opposition as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.
He said comprehensive reforms were introduced to ensure transparency and fairness of the electoral process. The Prime Minister said it was because of farmer friendly policies of the government that the country is today self-sufficient in food stuff specially wheat and sugar and over 1000 billion rupees were injected in the rural economy because of revolutionary measures in the agricultural sector.
He said despite challenges there was improvement in stock exchange due to successful policies of the government‚ exports crossed 25 billion dollars‚ home remittances crossed 13 billion dollars and rate of inflation came down from 25 percent in 2008 to 8 percent last year.
He said the government allocated record funds for developmental activates‚ provided electricity to 53‚000 villages‚ 3.4 million new electricity connections were given and over 1.8 million gas connections were provided besides improving basic infrastructure in the country.
The Prime Minister said the government restored image of the country in the comity of nations through an effective foreign policy and focused on the region. The foreign policy was restructured from aid to trade and hand of friendship was extended towards Afghanistan and India to promote regional peace and trade.
The government promoted friendly relations with China and Russia‚ historic agreement for handing over management of Gwadar Port to China was concluded and work on Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline was launched. He said credit also goes to the present government to pursue a foreign policy devised by the Parliament.
About Balochistan‚ Raja Pervez Ashraf said the government launched Aghaz-Haqooq-e-Balochistan and provided more financial resources to the provinces to address its sense of deprivation. He also referred to the developmental projects launched in Balochistan and measures taken to generate employment opportunities and said it is because of the policy of the government that political parties of the province have come to the national mainstream and participating in general elections.
The Prime Minister said the government inherited energy crisis and introduced short and long term measures to resolve it. It provided subsidy worth 1400 billion rupees to provide relief to the people and added 4000 megawatts to the system. He assured the nation that as a result of the concrete measures taken by the government the country would soon get rid of the energy crisis.
He said the PPP government took a number of measures for welfare of women and did legislation to safeguard their rights. The government abolished oppressive and discriminatory laws against workers and lifted ban on trade unions.
The Prime Minister said the government increased minimum wages and pensions by over 100 percent and it has committed to increase the minimum wages to 18‚000 rupees in the new manifesto. He said salaries of the government employees were increased by 135 percent and over 300‚000 daily wage and contract employees were regularised besides reinstatement of thousands of sacked employees.
Raja Pervez Ashraf said the government launched Benazir Income Support Programme for financial support of poor women and the programme is currently supporting 7 million families. He said some anti-poor people are talking about closure of the programme but added that they would not allow anyone to deprive the poor from the financial support. He said our party has committed that the monthly grant would be doubled if it returns to power again.
The Prime Minister said the PPP is committed to transparent‚ impartial and fair elections. A process of consultation with opposition has been initiated to solve the issues relating to establishment of caretaker setup through mutual understanding.
He said in the presence of political parties‚ independent election commission‚ effective media‚ civil society and judiciary there was no place for rigging and only aspirations of the people would be respected.
The Prime Minister said we introduced a new kind of politics in the country through tolerance and discarding the tendency of victimization. There was no pressure on anyone to change loyalties‚ we respected mandate of all and took on board other political parties. It is because of the policy of reconciliation and mutual accommodation that the assemblies are today completing their full term and we are once again going to the people to seek their mandate.
Referring to today s meeting with the Chief Ministers‚ the Prime Minister said he proposed to them holding of elections to the national and provincial assemblies on the same day in view of the ground realities. He said the participants of the meeting agreed to his proposal in principle. He said it is his endeavour to arrive at consensus on caretaker setups and remaining stages of the elections are completed amicably.
The Prime Minister appealed to political parties‚ national institutions‚ civil society and media to play their role to ensure completion of the electoral exercise in a fair‚ peaceful and cordial atmosphere. He said leaders and workers should demonstrate to the world that we are peaceful‚ responsible and democratic nation.
