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Armed militias in Karachi not acceptable: Nawaz
* PM says ongoing operation in Karachi will not be abandoned half way; peace will be restored in city by 2018 * Power of gun rests with government, not militants
APP
KARACHI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Thursday that armed militias in Karachi are not acceptable. He said the ongoing operation in the port city would not be left half way and would continue till its logical end. Addressing the inauguration ceremony of Ninth Expo Pakistan here, the prime minister said the government was firm in eradicating militancy and had decided to take solid steps to ensure peace in the country. The prime minister said the decisive moment had come to bring Karachi’s peace back and make the city free from the hold of militants. “We are determined that the power of gun would rest with the government, not with the militants,” he said. He vowed that Karachi would soon be rid of major crimes including kidnapping for ransom. The prime minister mentioned Zarb-e-Azb operation being successfully carried out in North Waziristan, and said the decision for this operation should have been taken much earlier. He said peace in the country would guarantee economic revival and prosperity. To the foreign investors attending the Expo Pakistan, Sharif said Pakistan was successfully encountering the spillover security challenges. “Pakistan is swiftly been brought back to normalcy,” Sharif said and urged the businessmen to set up industrial units in Pakistan and benefit from the investment-friendly environment. The Prime Minister said Pakistan would overcome its energy crisis by the end of 2017. Nawaz Sharif Thursday said his government was committed to make Pakistan the preferred destination for business and hoped in next three years the country’s exports would rise to US 50 billion. Addressing the launch of Expo Pakistan, country’s biggest trade fair, showcasing largest collection of Pakistan’s export merchandise and services, he said that Pakistan was a land of business opportunities. “We offer our foreign buyers a very competitive sourcing option. The captains of our industry have carved out their niche in the world market due to their production efficiencies and business ethics.” The Prime Minister said his government was dedicated and committed to economic development of Pakistan. “I and my team are actively engaged to bring in long term reforms in socio-economic sectors of Pakistan. We are well aware of the aspirations of the people of Pakistan and will do our utmost to vindicate the trust reposed in us,” the Prime Minister said. He said owing to consistent efforts, his government has succeeded in enhancing Pakistan’s exports to its highest ever turnover of over US $ 25 billion during the fiscal year 2013-14. “I am sure our entrepreneurs will maintain and further accelerate this growth momentum to achieve export level of US$ 50 billion within three years,” the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister said that the government recently approved its Textile Policy, aimed at doubling exports of textiles and clothing sector from existing US$ 13 billion to US$ 26 billion by the year 2019. He said that Asia was gradually emerging as the new global economic hub and Pakistan was fortunate to be located in the high economic growth neighbourhood. He said that Pakistan was currently not part of this highly competitive economic growth activity but was fully resolved to achieve a similar target. The prime minister particularly highlighted the performance of Pakistani textile and apparel industry and said it was considered amongst the world’s leaders. The bed sheets, quilt covers, T-shirts and jeans produced in Pakistan were sold at international leading chain stores from discounters to upscale outlets and under leading brand names. Prime Minister said that Pakistan has modern rice milling and processing industry and its exotic Basmati rice has made its mark in the world market. All these production advantages offer “unlimited business opportunities” that has been aptly chosen as the slogan of EXPO Pakistan. He said as an incentive to adding profitability to business ventures, Pakistan has effectively negotiated the bilateral, multilateral and pluri-lateral trading arrangements with many regions and countries in the world enabling its products to enter the foreign markets at lower tariffs. In this regard he mentioned the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) that was in operation and aimed at liberalizing trade with its South Asian neighbours.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk