May 18, 2015
News
World will witness new Pakistan soon: Ahsan Iqbal
* Minister says PTI and PAT sit-ins and protests harmed Pakistan’s economic growth
INPLAHORE: Planning, Development and Reforms Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Sunday said that the government has failed to understand why the national parties are against China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Talking at the pre-budget seminar, the minister lashed out at the political parties as they are creating fear among Chinese investors by their dissatisfaction over CPEC route.He said that the agreement with Chinese delegation was signed in 2013 and if there is anyone who can provide any documentation with respect to this MoU signed before 2013, he should unveil it.
He pronounced that various development plans would also be initiated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) whereas Thar Coal project would bring prosperity to Sindh. He vowed to initiate the plans across the country so that every single area of Pakistan could be developed.
Iqbal reiterated that the solution to the internal matters is a key towards international investment, however, $46 million would prove to be a milestone in economic welfare. He vowed that the world would witness a new Pakistan in 2015.
The federal minister said that the officials of international market are lauding the efforts of Pakistan towards development as all the stakeholders are on one platform.
He also urged the prominent leaders to help in eliminating all the problems and advised them to be united in war against terrorism.
Moreover, the minister termed the unity of stakeholders important to stand at best rank in global market. He said that the perception and image of Pakistan at the world level is now being positively improved due the great Pak-China economic partnership.
He said, “Pakistan has got a golden opportunity to develop and prosper our economy through the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and we will have to avail this chance.”
He said that after completion of this corridor project, Pakistan would be included in the rising economies.
He said that as compared to the economic situation in 2013 at the general elections, now country’s economy has recovered considerably due to successful government policies. And this economic turnaround has been given a positive recognition by all world financial institutions, banks and journals.
Iqbal said, “Pakistan had also got opportunities to prosper in 1960’s and at the start of 1990s but we lost those chances to become a economic tiger, as political destabilisation was the major cause behind that.” He said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek sit-ins and protests had harmed the economic growth of country but now the situation has been recovered.
He said that internal stability and better law and order are pre-requisite for economic development and prosperity of any country and these will improve foreign investments in various sectors of Pakistan as well.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk