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HIGHLIGHTS OF PM's ADDRESS

Following are the highlights of the address of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif:

Bracing to cope with International sanctions that followed Pakistan's nuclear tests, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced wide-ranging economic and social reforms. More than 1.2 millions acres of land given by the British for serving their interests and the lands that escaped land reforms in 1958 and 1972 will be confiscated. Agricultural loan has been increased to Rs 40 billion from last year's Rs. 30 billion. Duty on tractors and other agricultural machinery being reduced. Urges Sindh, NWFP and Balochistan to introduce agriculture taxes. Asks all loan-defaulters to return their loans in our weeks or face severe punishment. Incentives for Overseas Pakistanis:25 thousand residential plots in four major cities, tax exemption for sending dollars, 100-page passports. All overseas Pakistani asked to send 1000 dollars each to the self-reliance fund. PM also appeals to them to send money through banks and avoid 'hundi' or indirect transfers. Measures for enhancing literacy: those who can should educate atleast one child by contributing ten dollars or Rs 500 per month to a special fund. Announces two loan schemes for educated unemployed ranging from Rs 10,000 to 300,000. Those with technical education can get Rs 300,000 to five million. PM secretariat being sold, PM house being converted into a state guesthouse. A women's university to be opened at the former presidential palace in Rawalpindi. All governor houses also being converted into sate guesthouses while provincial state guesthouses will be sold. Prime Minister said that in one city, houses for seven senior officials cover 1,400 acres of land in a very expensive area. All such lands will be sold. Official holidays to be reduced to 13 from 20. All government expenses being reduced by 50 percent. Only those diplomats who help improve economic relations between Pakistan and their host nations will get promotions and not for "sending newspaper clippings and gossips". Says Pakistan spends seven billion rupees on tea and asks the nation to reduce its consumption by half. Also urges people to reduce the consumption of artificial ghee.