Pakistan’s stability vital for world peace: PM

Pakistan’s stability vital for world peace: PM




ISLAMABAD, Feb 16 (APP): Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Monday said Pakistan’s stability was vital for world peace and urged the international community to support it in coping with its security and economic challenges. Addressing the inaugural session of a two‑day Pakistan tripartite labour conference at Pakistan Manpower Institute, the Prime Minister said the world should realise Pakistan’s role as a front line state in war against terrorism, which had cast negative effects on its economy as well.
The Prime Minister said the challenges of terrorism and economy were inter‑related, and a single suicide blast could lead to flight of capital from the country.
He said the government was taking prudent measures to cope with the current challenges, and would focus on strengthening economic and investment opportunities in the country.
He said despite the global crunch that had a negative impact on major economies, Pakistan was showing an upward economic trend.
“Despite difficulties, the government would turn challenges into opportunities,” Gilani said and added it would ensure good governance in different state institutions.
The Prime Minister said international businessmen were interested in investing in Pakistan, and said the government would provide investment‑friendly environment for strengthening the economy and industrial sector.
He said Pakistan had also achieved the targets set by International Monetary Fund (IMF), which was a positive sign.
He said though the government was facing numerous challenges, however it enjoyed support of the people, and mentioned that only democratic governments could work effectively for its people.
Prime Minister Gilani asked the Labour Minister Khurshid Shah to announce the labour policy as soon as possible and take on board all stakeholders to arrive at a comprehensive course of action.
He said the ‘Removal from Services Ordinance 2002’ should also be discussed for its retraction.
“We have decided to eliminate all black laws of dictatorship era and would make all our labour laws in accordance with International Labour Organization (ILO) and World Trade Organization (WTO).”
The prime minister said 80,000 flats would be constructed for the labourers and the dowry funds will be increased to Rs 70,000 from Rs 50,000.
He also announced Rs 500,000 as compensation for the labourers killed in Machh.
He said the government has lifted the ban on recruitment to create more jobs and the cabinet committee has been constituted to look into the re‑appointment of the staffers, ousted from their jobs on political grounds.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan was facing electricity shortage as a challenge for the government, for which a long term planning was required. He said in this regard the government was planning large dams to meet energy shortage in the country. He recalled the initiative of IPPs during the tenure of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and said had these not been in place the country would have returned to stone‑age.
He said all options for electricity generation were being looked into including nuclear, wind, besides getting 1100 MW from Iran, power plants from UAE etc.
About the conference, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani said it was being organized after eight years and would prove an important forum for the leaders, government representatives and workers to discuss the issues and arrive at a comprehensive solution after thorough consultations.
He asked the delegates to contribute their best expertise and various issues relating to labourers and workers.
Minister for Labour Khurshid Shah said under the previous government of the Pakistan Peoples Party maximum benefits have been provided to the working class.
He said all laws were being brought in conformity with International Labour Organization regulations and would ensure social justice and dignity of labour.
K M Noman Vice President of Employers Federation said labour laws need to be business friendly and should be more compatible with international laws to enhance productivity and exports.
He said there was a need for adopting an open approach to tackle labour issues and removal of controversial clauses of the Industrial Relations Act 2008.
ILO Representative from Japan said the benefits of globalisation need to spread evenly across all sections of society and for all economies.
She said Pakistan has been included in the ILO programme to assess the impact of global recession and added that the country has also ratified 34 international conventions.
Khurshid Ahmed General Secretary of Pakistan Labours Federation said security threats had led to flight of capital, while global recession, increasing poverty and terrorism were major challenges that need to be addressed.
He said it was the responsibility of the state to ensure that workers rights are protected, health cover provided to elderly and retired employees, equal opportunities be given in education for the children of workers.
Ch. Manzoor of Peoples Labour Bureau said section 27 B brought in during the Nawaz Sharif tenure under the Banking Ordinance
besides the IRO 2002 ordinance of the Musharraf era needs to be retracted.
He said a new labour policy needs to be put in place at the earliest and should reflect the vision of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.