Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Saturday laid out plans for his coalition government's first 100 days in power, saying the fight against terrorism would be top of his agenda. Gilani said the government will seek to reinstate judges ousted by President Pervez Musharraf last year. Gilani secured the unanimous approval of the National Assembly earlier in the day without a vote of confidence after the opposition said it supported him. Shortly after the National Assembly Speaker announced that Gilani had secured unanimous approval, he began to spell out his government's plans by announcing measures to combat terrorism, price hike, unemployment and poverty, setting up of new power plants and fixing minimum wage of Rs6,000 (about $100) for the laborers. Maintaining law and order would be the top priority of the government for which terrorism needs to be rooted out, Gilani said. He said he would announce a special package for tribal areas to give them employment and to remove their backwardness and other social evils. He announced to revoke Frontier Crime Regulations (FCR). “Terrorism and extremism are our greatest problems. They have put the country in danger. Therefore, it is our first priority to bring peace to the country and fight terrorism,” Gilani said. He added that the government would be willing to talk to militants who laid down their arms. Gilani announced 40 percent cut in the expenditure of his secretariat and use of 1600 cc car by federal ministers and their travel in economy plus on domestic routes. Gilani assured Kashmiris that their sacrifices will not go waste and the lingering dispute will be resolved according to their aspirations. “We will promote peace and brotherhood with neighboring countries,” he said. The prime minister said the government would strengthen its ties with the Islamic countries. He said Pakistan also desires close and friendly ties with Europe and the United States. He said China was a traditional and time-tested friend of Pakistan. - With Agencies __
