Relief to common man to be ensured despite economic constraints: PM

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said that despite economic constraints the government is converging all its efforts to ensuring relief to the common man.A number of short term and long term measures are being adopted to help improve the living conditions of the people, the Prime Minister added.He was talking to the delegation from different walks of life which called on him here at the PM Secretariat to congratulate him on assuming the responsibilities as Prime Minister of Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said that in order to address the Atta crisis the government has decided to import 1.5 million tons of wheat and has accelerated the domestic wheat procurement process which would help ease the situation.
He said the government would ensure sufficient stocks in all provinces to ensure availability of Atta to the consumers.
The law enforcement agencies have been directed to check smuggling of wheat and atta, for which strict discipline will be followed to avoid possibility of shortage as well as to restrict price increase, he added.
The Prime Minister said the government is simultaneously focusing on provision of basic facilities like clean drinking water, education and healthcare to the people in all areas of the country. He said the government is also formulating a poverty alleviation strategy which would increase employment and income opportunities particularly in the underdeveloped regions of the country.
The Prime Minister said the major challenges confronting the country could only be resolved through good governance and the 100 days agenda is first step in this direction.
He said the government would take measures to improve the performance and efficiency of its functionaries so that the problems of the people are solved in the shortest possible time and preferably at their doorsteps.
The members of the delegation apprised the Prime Minister of the problems of their respective areas. They also thanked the Prime Minister for taking immediate measures to improve the supply of Atta as well as electricity shortage in the country.