July 08, 2008	Tuesday	Rajab 4, 1429

ISLAMABAD, July 7: With little to show as performance during its first 100 days, the coalition government is working on a new plan to address the issues of energy, inflation and terrorism.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is expected to address the nation next week on reasons behind his government’s inability to achieve anything substantial on economic fronts.

The prime minister was scheduled to address the nation on July 7 but decided to delay it reportedly because he had not been adequately briefed by the ministries.

Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Salman Farooqui, who held a meeting with federal secretaries on Monday, is likely to prepare a report for the prime minister.

Sources said that several secretaries were of the opinion that during the 100 days the government remained more involved in political matters than in economic issues. There was virtual ‘inaction’ in most ministries.

The meeting was told that the energy issue needed serious efforts, including the development of renewable resources.

The meeting was informed that an energy conservation law was being vetted by the ministry of law and it would be presented in the National Assembly.

There was a feeling of failure on other crucial issues as well, particularly on containing inflation and the continuous rise in food prices which has reached an unprecedented 27 per cent and the terrorist onslaught which continues unabated.