Declaration of emergency was inevitable, says Wasi
By Khalid Amin

ISLAMABAD—The constitutional action taken by promulgating emergency was inevitable for the continuity and promotion of democratic process and country’s prosperity.
Muhammad Wasi Zafar Federal Minister for Privatization and Investment stated this during an informal chat with a group of media here today. He said that the government’s recent actions taken in the given circumstances were in the best interest of the country and the nation and were need of the hour to bring harmony among the national institutions.
Certain elements had created law and order situation, which had disturbed the normal life but the timely action taken by the government has curtailed the chances of further deterioration of the situation, he said.
Wasi Zafar further stated that the government was sincerely endeavoring for the promotion of democratic process by holding general elections in consultation with all political parties as per schedule. There was no need for anyone’s comments on our internal affairs, as we better understand our domestic ground realities than anyone else, he pointed out.
Referring to the criticism regarding the promulgation of recent Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) by those judges who had taken oath under an earlier PCO, the Minister reminded them to remember their past. The people would ensure victory for the ruling and the coalition parties in the upcoming general elections on the basis of our performance, he hoped.
Highlighting the achievements made on the economic front, Wasi Zafar said that the economic reforms introduced by the government has attracted all time high historic investment to the tune of US $ 8.5 billion and made Pakistan a safe haven for the investors through investor friendly policies.
As compare to the privatization of 102 entities from 1991 to 1999, which realized US $ 1.7 billion, while during the period 1999 to 2007 through the privatization of 64 transactions, the privatization proceeds remained a record of around US $ 7 billion.