Reforms must continue to ensure development: Shaukat

ISLAMABAD—Former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Sunday said reforms process must continue to ensure enhanced development especially in the economic field. Addressing a reception held here in his honour, he said the country has witnessed robust economic growth in the last few years and it is imperative to maintain upward trend in the national economy.
The reception was attended by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Nisar A. Memon, AJK Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmad Khan, HEC Chairman Dr. Attaur Rehman and 30 ambassadors and diplomats stationed in Islamabad.
“Our country having a population of 160 million people has a lot of potential and I hope Pakistan of tomorrow would be quite different from Pakistan of today,” he said.
The former prime minister said the most important hallmark of the PML government was transparency that enabled the administration to serve the people in a befitting manner.
He said, “It was for the first time that a person from a middle class became prime minister of the country and I was in a much better position to understand the basic problems of a common man.”
Shaukat Aziz said President Pervez Musharraf always supported me and encouraged me to do my best for the betterment of the people and country as well. He said it had been a tremendous experience to remain in a position where I was able to put in my best efforts and pay back to the country that gave me identity and prestige.
“It is an honour for me to leave my office with all the dignity and respect because in the past we witnessed that the prime ministers used to go back from back doors,” he said.
Referring to ongoing election process, he said general elections would be held in free, fair and transparent manner that would pave way for a new political landscape in the country.
“All the political parties should participate in the forthcoming elections and play their due role in further strengthening the democratic system,” he said.—APP