Setting out plans for the first 100 days of his coalition government, he told MPs that "terrorism and extremism" were the country's "greatest problems".

Mr Gillani was sworn in as prime minister on Tuesday at the head of a coalition between the PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). The National Assembly endorsed him with a vote of confidence.

The parties' success in the 18 February general election was seen as a blow to President Pervez Musharraf.

Mr Gillani announced measures that could lead to integrating Pakistan's lawless tribal areas into the rest of the country, granting tribesmen political and social rights they do not currently have. He promised to reduce perks for government ministers, a gesture acknowledging the growing economic hardships for most Pakistanis. He also announced a series of measures to relieve their plight, including urgent steps to deal with a severe power crisis.