‘Musharraf’s policies made Pakistan’s economy stronger than ever’
By Asad Cheema

ISLAMABAD—Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Tariq Azeem Khan has said that prudent policies of the government have made the country’s economy stronger than ever.
He was talking to a high-level media delegation from Bangladesh who called on him at his office here on Monday. The 8-member delegation was led by Brig. Gen. (retired) Shahid-ul-Anam Khan, Editor-in-Chief Daily Star, while editors and reporters of various TV channels and newspapers included the delegation. Tariq Azeem Khan said that President Pervez Musharraf’s vision and leadership has boosted the country economic sector and our Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has been strengthened manifold.
“Pakistan’s foreign reserves have been increased from one billion to $ 12 billion and our GDP touched 8.6 percent last year. Despite the deadly earthquake, we have acquired the sustainable economic growth and this year our GDP would remain at 7 percent,” said the minister while briefing the delegates on the economic sector in Pakistan. He said that the passage of the Women Protection Bill (WPB) by the parliament is a historic achievement and the man-made-laws have been amended to secure the dignity and rights of the women.
“We have put certain man-made-laws back to PPC and the teachings of Quran and Sunnah have been fully upheld. This historic achievement would surely secure the basic rights of the women, who are 52 percent of our population,” he said. He said that Pakistan’s fight against terrorism is based on principles and commitment as Pakistan itself has been a victim of terrorism. He said the attacks on the lives of President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and other innocent people are testimony to this effect. He said Pakistan is committed to uproot terrorism in all forms.
Briefing the delegates on political situation in Pakistan, Senator Tariq Azeem said that the incumbent assembly has completed four years and they would become the only assembly in Pakistan’s political history to complete their term. “The incumbent parliament has passed the longest period in our parliamentary history and this credit goes to President Pervez Musharraf who has served the democracy and the country more than any politician. Pakistan has now strong institutions as well as economy. Now we have got rid of the begging bowl and the international donors are hailing Pakistan’s economic policies,” he said.
The Minister said the next election would be held after the completion of the term of the incumbent legislative assembly and all steps would be taken to ensure fair, free and transparent polls. “We have invited international observes, media representatives to monitor the next polls while free press including more than 40 television channels would also play a pivotal role in ensuring fair polls,” he said.
The members of Bangladeshi media delegation felicitated the minister on the passage of WPB. They said the Rupee-Dollar parity speaks volumes of the sustainable economic growth of Pakistan. They praised President Musharraf for ensuring economic and human resource development in Pakistan.