Gilani says Pakistan's future bright despite odds

LONDON: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said though Pakistan was going through a difficult phase but there was no reason to be pessimistic about its future.

"Challenges abound, but so are opportunities. I am confident of Pakistan's bright future," he said while addressing the annual gala dinner of UK-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan despite heavy internal and external odds not only survived but also made significant progress in many fields. He mentioned significant strides made by Pakistanis in the fields of agriculture, industry, nuclear science, information and communications.

He mentioned the picking up exports with foreign exchange reserves crossing $18 billion; remittances from overseas Pakistanis crossing $11 billion; Pakistan becoming a wheat-exporting country from a wheat-importing country; and the Karachi Stock Exchange with trade index reaching 12000 points for the past 18 months.

"My Government also strongly believes in checks and balances. The Executive, the Parliament, and the Judiciary have to play their respective roles as provided for in the Constitution. Problems arise when we trespass into the domain of others," he said.

He said, "If we are to strengthen our institutions then it is imperative that we strictly abide by the Constitution," adding that democracy helped create national consensus against terrorism.

He mentioned that since 9/11, Pakistan had lost over 30,000 innocent civilians and over 5000 brave soldiers and law enforcement personnel with the total economic losses coming to around 67 billion dollars.

"The people of Pakistan have suffered the most at the hands of terrorism. And only democracy can fight this menace," he said.

Gilani said British-Pakistanis are a living bridge between the two countries and quoted the statement of British Prime Minister David Cameron who said that Pakistan's future is Britain's future. He said Pakistan was proud of the British-Pakistanis' hard-work, professionalism and commitment to both Britain and Pakistan.

He said the way Pakistani Diaspora responded to these calamities, giving generous assistance, was testimony to the strong nationhood and showed the inherent capacity of Pakistanis to transcend differences and unite for a common national cause.

Gilani said the government would persist in pursuing the politics of reconciliation because it was in the best interest of Pakistan.

He said it was democracy that reinstated the deposed Supreme Court judges, that restored the 1973 Constitution through the 18th and 19th amendments, and that resumed the provincial autonomy. He said the 7th National Finance Commission Award and Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e- Balochistan package were also important milestones in this regard.

The Prime Minister said his government was taking bold decisions which may hurt the government politically, but added that these were essential to achieve economic growth and sustainable development.

He said the government was gradually phasing out subsidies, and carrying out the long overdue tax reform in addition to reduction of circular debt to handle energy shortfalls. Additionally, efforts were being made to trim non-development budget, he said.

He said economic opportunities were being created for the poor through micro-credit schemes, and provide them relief through schemes such as Benazir Income Support Programme.

On Pak-UK relations, Gilani said these were rooted in history and based on mutual interest. It is encouraging that this relationship has support across the political spectrum both in the UK and Pakistan, he added.

He recalled that during Prime Minister David Cameron's visit to Pakistan in April, Pakistan-UK Enhanced Strategic Dialogue was launched that laid a solid foundation for a long-term strategic partnership.

He said the people of Pakistan greatly appreciate Britain's humanitarian and development assistance. The announcement of pounds 650 million for enrolling 4 million children in primary education in Pakistan over the next four years reflects Britain's close engagement in our development, he added.

He said Britain was also at the forefront of facilitating greater market access for Pakistani products to EU markets and added that the UK is also one of Pakistan's largest trading partners, and a major source of foreign investment.

Gilani urged the full support of UKPCCI to promote bilateral trade and investment.

"We want more trade rather than aid, as increase in our exports would help create more job opportunities, which is so essential in our fight against terrorism," he said.

He said an unemployed and frustrated youth is a readily available foot soldier for evil terrorist masterminds.

The Prime Minister encouraged the British-Pakistanis to invest in Pakistan and benefit from the huge opportunities in the sectors of energy, including renewable energy sources, infrastructure, agriculture and agro-based industry, education, health and information and communication technologies.

Gilani said Pakistan needs a peaceful and stable region to harness its economic potential and said his government was working overtime to promote peace and harmony in the region.

He said Pakistan believed in maintaining excellent relations with all neighbouring countries including India and Afghanistan. "We look forward to the day when the two countries, along with other members of SAARC, work together and move towards forming an economic union for the greatest good of the people of South Asia," he said.

He said the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement, which has been concluded recently, will play an important role in our development. He said Pakistan would like this agreement to go beyond Afghanistan and also include Central Asian states and mentioned projects such as Central Asia - South Asia CASA-1000, TAPI, IP Gas Pipeline and Gul Train which would help promote Pakistan as a regional economic hub.

He also mentioned the excellent level of cooperation with China, United States, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE and other Gulf and OIC countries.

President of UKPCCI, Naheed Randhawa, Secretary General UKPCCI, Syed Qamar Raza, Pakistan's High Commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hassan and a large number of Pakistanis attended the event.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011