Pakistan reforms are institutionalized: PM
From Saira Ilyas

LONDON—Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that the reforms in various sectors in Pakistan are institution based and the government was making sincere efforts to make the country a vibrant, progressive, moderate and Islamic welfare state.
Addressing the elected councillors and mayors of Pakistani origin here in London, soon after his arrival from Oslo on Friday night, the Prime Minister said, "Pakistan is getting better and better, but still there are challenges and with the passage of the time, the economic conditions of the country will be further improved."
The Prime Minister said the government is working with dedication, conviction and courage to take the nation forward and put the country on the road of progress and prosperity.
He urged the members of the all the political parties to join hands for the progress and prosperity of the country and said as the opposition expressed unity on the issue of no-confidence motion against him, he urged the opposition to show unity on the national issues, too.
On the issue of terrorism and extremism, the Prime Minister said, Pakistan has been taking several measures to tackle this issue which has become an international problem. He said Pakistan is itself victim of terrorism and made efforts to contain it but still international cooperation and assistance is needed to resolve the root causes of terrorism.
He said Pakistanis living in United Kingdom and other countries had to play active role in this regard and help the government fight against the extremist element.
Explaining the economic reforms in Pakistan, the Prime Minister said, for the first time in the history of the country, the government has introduced Fiscal Responsibility Law to ensure that the loans should be with in the range and according to the specified percentage to the GDP.
The Prime Minister urged the Pakistanis living in United Kingdom to invest in Pakistan taking full advantage of the liberal, business friendly policies of the government. He assured the Pakistanis that the government would provide full protection to their investment.
He said there is Board of Investment in Pakistan which would provide help and assistance to the interested investors. He said Pakistan has legal system which would provide protection and security to everyone.
Replying to question about Balochistan situation, the Prime Minister said the President General Pervez Musharraf and he himself had been making efforts to ensure development in this area which has been neglected in the past.
He said some tribal leaders are against the development, and always challenged the writ of the government and the law enforcing agencies have to play their due role.
The Prime Minister said the government had started a number of projects at a cost of Rs. 135 billion for Balochistan which also included construction of Gwadar Port.
Referring to other development projects in the country, the Prime Minister said Pakistan has tremendous history and exciting future with a great potential for development.
He said due to liberal economic policies, a number of foreign investors are coming to Pakistan which also included investors from United Kingdom. He especially referred to the investment of dollar 600 million by Norwegian firm Telenor, which will be increased to one billion dollars very soon.
The Prime Minister said per capita income in Pakistan has increased to dollar 850.
The deficit is under control and the economy has the capacity to absorb shock of increasing oil price, he added. The benefits of the economic growth, he said, have been now transferring to the common man with the improvement of their living standard.
The Prime Minister said the poverty has been reduced from 35 percent to the 25 per cent but still a lot to do more in this sector. Foreign Direct investment had been a record of dollar 3.8 billion last year, he added.
He said the government had started skill development programmes to impart training to people through need based programmes to fill the skilled gap.
Regarding reconstruction work in the earthquake areas, the Prime Minister said it was in full swing and added that Pakistan due to its good reputation was able to raise dollar 6.8 billion from the world for this purposes.
He said earthquake was major test for the government to handle the disaster and the government remained successful in it.
The Prime Minister said the democratic process is fully functional and the parliament is free to discuss and debate each and every subject. He said it would be an honour for the present government to complete its tenure as the PML along with coalition partners has comfortable majority.
He said the next elections would be held according to schedule next year.
About the question of President General Pervez Musharraf to quit the office of Army Chief, the Prime Minister Aziz said President Musharraf is elected president and he would take decision in accordance with the constitution when his present term as President will expire later next year. He said there is laid down process in the constitution for the election of President and added that President Musharraf will follow the constitution.
He said the government believe in transparency of all the decisions, which are not acceptable to some elements who always tried to destabilise the government.
Highlighting the foreign policy of the government, he said, Pakistan wants peaceful relations with its neighbours. He said Pakistan wanted to resolve the Kashmir issue according to the aspirations of the Kashmiris through negotiations and had started composite dialogue process with India in this regard.
About Iran, the Prime Minister said, Pakistan always said that every country including Iran has the right to peaceful use of nuclear technology under the IAEA safeguards.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan also wanted to further improve relations with Afghanistan as a strong stable Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan, and people in the region. He said Pakistan has still over three million Afghan refugees and trade with Afghanistan has been increased to dollar 1.5 billion from just dollar 50 million couple of years ago.
With China, the Prime Minister said, Pakistan has very close and cordial relations and both the countries have many joint ventures particularly the project of JF-17 which will be completed next year.
About the complaints to increase prices of tickets by PIA, the Prime Minister said it was mainly due to rise in the oil prices but he assured that he will look into the matter. He said PIA would introduce package for the Pakistani youth to visit Pakistan during summer vacations.
On the question of role of madaris, the Prime Minister said these are playing important role in promoting education. He said government was introduced reform system in these madaris.
The High Commissioner of Pakistan to UK Dr. Maliha Lodhi speaking on the occasion appreciated the role of Pakistanis in the British system. She said a number of Pakistani origins, have been elected councillors and mayors and contributing in an effective in the democratic system of UK.