Pakistan is
an anchor of peace to play a stabilizing role in the region: PM
By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said Belgium holds special
significance for Pakistan, both in the bilateral and multilateral
context and Pakistan values its relationship with Belgium.
Talking to Mr. Karel De Gucht, Foreign Minister of Belgium who called on
him at the Prime Minister's House , the Prime Minister appreciated
Belgium's interest and cooperation in facilitating market access to
Pakistan within the European Union (EU) and Belgium and emphasized the
need for more market access for the developing countries.
"Increased market access creates sustainable development in developing
countries and needs to be expended and encouraged," the Prime Minister
said.
Expansion in the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Belgium,
regional and international issues, defence and security matters and
matters related to European Union came under discussion. The Prime
Minister also talked about the economic and political situation in the
country and the government's priorities in the social sector.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan is a peaceful country and enjoys a geo
strategically important position in a region, which is not without
challenges and our defence doctrine is based on having minimum credible
deterrence to maintain peace in the region.
The Prime Minister said while Pakistan has no intention to enter into an
arms race with any country, we are maintaining our tactical as well as
strategic defence capabilities to safeguard our integrity and
sovereignty and ensure peace in the region.
"Pakistan is acting as an anchor of peace and playing a stabilizing role
in the region", said the Prime Minister.
Commenting on the regional situation, the Prime Minister said Pakistan
is keen to resolve all outstanding issues with India including the issue
of Kashmir in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the people
of Kashmir.
He said President Musharraf has proposed many bold initiatives, which
can form the basis of meaningful negotiations. We hope India will
respond positively to Pakistan's proposals of demilitarization and
self-governance in Kashmir, the Prime Minister added.
He said on our Western borders, a strong, stable and vibrant Afghanistan
is of strategic importance to Pakistan. Pakistan has extended full
political, diplomatic and financial cooperation to the Afghan government
as a stable and peaceful Afghanistan is good for the people of
Afghanistan and also in Pakistan's interest.
The Prime Minister said the world needs to focus more on ensuring
sustainable peace in Afghanistan. More needs to be done for creating
economic opportunities for the people of Afghanistan to bring prosperity
there. Hope for a better future for the people of Afghanistan will bring
stability there, the Prime Minister said.
Talking of the internal political situation, the Prime Minister said
Pakistan is democracy in transition and all democratic institutions in
the country are maturing. He said the political reforms introduced by
the government have ensured political and social empowerment to the
people at the gross roots level, representation of women has been
enhanced in political institutions at all levels and minorities have
been given the dual right to vote.
The Prime Minister said the government has taken a number of steps to
increase the representation of women in every walk of life. The quota of
women in Central Superior Services (CSS) has also been increased, the
Prime Minister added.
Talking of the reform agenda, the Prime Minister said the reform agenda
pursued by the government was one of the most aggressive and
multifaceted ever and covered every facet of activity. As a result
Pakistan today is on a high growth trajectory. The size of the economy
has reached $ 137 billion from $ 75 billion in 1999. Similarly, the per
capita income has doubled during this period and has reached $ 847.
He said the reforms have changed the entire economic landscape. The
economy has grown at 6-8% per annum during the last four years. The
average growth during the last three years has been 7.5 % and the
investments are at an all time high.
The Prime Minister said poverty is declining and 14 to 15 million people
have been brought out of poverty net during the last seven years.
"The underlying philosophy of the government's policy is growth with
equity and development with dignity", the Prime Minister said.
Mr. Karel De Gucht said Belgium desires to enhance economic cooperation
with Pakistan and the meetings of Joint Economic Commission of the two
countries will be held more frequently.
He said Belgium will do more work in the earthquake affected areas of
Pakistan and the amount of Euros 5 million which were pledged as state
to state credit will be converted into grant.
Mr. Karel De Gucht thanked the Prime Minister for sending peacekeeping
troops to Democratic Republic of Congo under the UN umbrella and said
this helped in achieving stability and progress there. He appreciated
Pakistan role in ensuring regional peace and stability.
The meeting was attended among others by Minister for Foreign Affairs
Mr. Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri and senior officials. |
