Premier stresses moving forward for Kashmir solution
By Our Special Correspondent
ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said Pakistan wants peace with
all countries and sustained peace is South Asia will be possible with
the resolution of the Kashmir dispute in line with the wishes of the
Kashmiri people.
“India, Pakistan and Kashmiris need to work together to move forward
towards a resolution. The opening of five points at the line of control
and more interaction between Kashmiris on both sides of the LoC will
create a conducive atmosphere and help the overall pace process,” he
observed this while talking to Young Global Leaders delegation who
called on him at the prime minister House on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister also gave the delegation of an overview of Pakistan’s
stand on regional and international issues including the composite
dialogue process with India, Jammu and Kashmir dispute, situation in
Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq and counter terrorism.
On matter of economic growth of Pakistan, the prime minister said wide
ranging structural reforms, prudent macro economic policies, fiscal
discipline and consistency and continuity in policies have transformed
Pakistan into a stable and resurgent economy.
“Pakistan in is the midst of an economic upturn, our policies of
liberalization and privatization coupled with transparency have
increased investors confidence and investments today are highest in the
history of the country”, he noted.
He said last year the real GDP grew by 8.4 percent. This was the third
year in a row when Pakistan achieved strong GDP growth. The growth was
broad based and sub sectors recorded strong growth particularly
large-scale manufacturing, agriculture and the services sector. Pakistan
emerged as a second fastest growing economy of Asia after China after
2004-05. The Prime Minister said the government has been pushing the
reforms agenda relentlessly with passion. Referring to expansion of the
Telecom Sector, the prime minister said that in the telecom sector
Pakistan is second highest in Asia. Pakistan has 10 million cellular
phone customers. Tele density is 17 percent and the coverage is
increasing a million a month.
The Prime Minister also briefed the visiting Ministers on ongoing
rehabilitation efforts in the earthquake affected areas. He said the
entire work is being done by the civil Administration, Army and elected
representatives in close coordination. NGOs have also been contributing
in government’s relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts. He
said the government is focusing on evolving a transparent methods for
funds collection and utilization. Government has laid down a procedure
for double audits and constituted Committees for oversight. Which have a
wide participation of all section of society. The government has also
constituted a committee of parliamentarians from the government and
opposition side to oversee all matters related to reconstruction and
rehabilitation said the prime minister. This committee has been given
wide powers to have a check on the funds utilization. The delegation
appreciated the Pakistan government for undertaking rescue, relief and
rehabilitation programmes on a fast pace. |
