The government would continue to work for building consensus with all political parties to overcome the crises facing the country, the Prime Minister said adding that all issues could be resolved through consensus and understanding.
Gilani said that strengthening of the provinces with mutual agreement was the top priority of the government and it was that spirit under which provincial autonomy was given through 18th Constitutional Amendment.
Referring to the issue of terrorism and extremism, he said that the entire nation was united to defeat the terrorists. The political leadership and people of the country were backing the government in the ongoing war on terror, he added.
The Prime Minister saluted the officers and jawans of armed forces, police and personnel of law enforcement agencies for their sacrifices in the war against terrorism. All of them including the civil society were performing exemplary role to thwart terrorism, he said.
Gilani lauded the heroic role of armed forces in helping nation in every hour of need. "Our army jawans saved the lives of thousands of people in last year's floods while putting their own lives in danger and they deserve the nation's appreciation," he added.
The Prime Minister said terrorism and floods had severely damaged the national economy and economic losses due to terrorism amounted to $ 65 billion.
Referring to some of the steps taken by his government during the past three years, the Prime Minister said that the federal government had substantially increased the financial resources of the provinces through 7th NFC award, which he termed a big success.
He referred to the recent reforms in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), saying these steps would enable the tribal people to take hold of their destiny.
Gilani said that those regions which were ignored in the past had been given rights, powers and recognition by the government.
The Prime Minister assured that the federal government would not ignore the education sector despite devolution of the education ministry to the provinces. He said that soon a national education conference would be held with the consultation of provinces and decisions would be taken with mutual understanding to promote the process of creating harmony in education.
He further said that important steps had been taken during the past three years to empower women including quota for seats in assemblies and appointment of ombudswoman. He said that the National Assembly had also approved a law to end the tendency of harassment of female employees after which they could perform their jobs with more confidence and freedom.
Gilani lauded the scientists of Suparco for bringing Pakistan at par with other countries in the field of space technology by launching a new satellite to meet communication needs of Pakistan.
About the energy crisis, he said the government inherited the crisis and in the past dictatorial rule, not a single mega power project was planned.
The Prime Minister pledged that the nation would soon get rid of loadshedding, saying that work was underway on Dimar Bhasha and Munda Dams and the government had also decided to provide necessary funds for Thar Coal project.
He said despite unfavourable conditions, 3,000 megawatts of electricity had been added to the system while a committee headed by the Federal Minister for Finance had been set up, which would give suggestions on emergency basis to overcome the energy crisis.
Gilani said the government was formulating a strategy with the help of provinces to decrease price hike. He said that subsidy of rupees two billion had been given so that people could get essential items at lower prices during the Holy month of Ramazan.
The Prime Minister said that workers were being made shareholders in Benazir Stock Option Scheme and internship programme had been launched for unemployed youth. He said the pension of retired government employees had been increased by 15 to 20 percent and substantial raise had been given in the salaries of government employees, armed forces and judiciary.
The Prime Minister said some decisions had been taken on the recommendations of economic experts to improve financial health of the country and these steps had brought some positive changes.
He said that the country's foreign exchange reserves had reached an all time high mark of $ 18 billion due to increased remittances by Pakistanis living abroad. Acknowledging the role of religious scholars in the mental and intellectual training of a society, Gilani said teachings of Ulema were a source of inspiration for people and he would meet religious scholars for guidance soon.
Referring to foreign relations, the Prime Minister said Pakistan's policy was based on the principles of peaceful co-existence, mutual harmony and understanding. He said Pakistan wanted to promote relations with all countries on the basis of goodwill and equality.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan's relations with China were of historic importance and friendship with it was an important pillar of the country's foreign policy. He said that Pak-China friendship, in real terms, was higher than the Himalayan mountains and deeper than sea.
Pakistan's brotherly relations with Saudi Arabia would continue forever, Gilani said adding that during his recent visit to the kingdom, Saudi King Shah Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz stated that ties between the people of the two countries go beyond the relations as a friend and brother.
He said relations were being promoted with all Islamic countries and the government of Turkey had a deep appreciation for Pakistan. He said Pakistan had historic and geographical ties with Iran and the implementation of the agreement on gas pipeline project would start soon.
Gilani said Pakistan sincerely desired restoration of peace in Afghanistan and wanted to see it as a prosperous, stable and independent country.
About relations with India, the Prime Minister said Pakistan wanted to resolve issues with its neighbour India through process of dialogue so that both the countries could get rid of blights of poverty, illiteracy and backwardness. He said nobody could deny the reality that Kashmir was the jugular vein of Pakistan and the international community had also accepted Kashmiris' right to self-determination.
Gilani said Pakistan would continue to provide unhindered moral, diplomatic and political support to Kashmiris so that they could get their rights. The Prime Minister said that relations with the US were vital for Pakistan, saying "we are ever ready for co-operation with our friends but we will not accept hegemony of anybody."
He said relations were being further improved with all the countries of European Union including Britain and efforts were underway to gain access to American and European markets and in this connection some success had been achieved.
Earlier, the Prime Minister felicitated the nation on its 65th Independence Day and paid rich tributes to the founder of the nation Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and leaders of the Pakistan Movement for providing a spirited leadership which created the world's first ideological state, Pakistan, the creation of which is the best example of democratic struggle. He also praised Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto for laying down their lives for democratic ideals and rights of the people of the country.