Speakers at a seminar here on Saturday called for exploiting natural resources of the country to overcome the multiple crises the country was confronting with including energy crisis.
Speaking at a conference on "Mera Pakistan" jointly organised by Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and COMMECS, they said that the country had rich natural and mineral resources and if properly taped, these would not only lead the country out of the prevailing economics mess but also put it on the path of progress, prosperity and development.
They also underlined the need to fully utilise the potentials of agriculture sector for attaining self-sufficiency in food. Former Federal Minister Jahangir Khan Tareen said that Pakistan could become self-sufficient in food by increasing per acre yield.
He said that Pakistan had 56 million acres cultivatable land out of which 82 percent had water for cultivation. "The country not only has cultivatable land but also favourable seasons for agriculture produce," he added. Tarin said that increase in per acre yield can only be achieved by providing better facilities to farmers, using latest technologies and financial support.
He pointed out that Pakistan was the third largest producer of milk in the world having 50 million milk giving animals, adding that potential exit to further increase milk production. Professor Dr Atta-ur-Rehman said that education was must for putting the country on the path of progress and prosperity.
He was of the view that Pakistan must utilise its highly educated youth for imparting higher education instead of depending on foreign higher education experts for imparting education in the country. Expressing concerns, he noted that educated youth had no research facility in the country in various fields.
He appreciated the caliber of Pakistani youth and said that they were very intelligent. "A group of only 12 students have succeeded in securing contracts of Rs 20 billion in IT sector recently," he informed. Addressing the conference and later talking to newsmen, nuclear scientist and member Planning Commission, Dr Samar Mubarak Mand said that Pakistan could easily overcome the crises confronting it by utilising its natural and mineral resources.
He noted that Pakistan had 1.2 trillion dollars gold reserves and the country also had the capability to explore and mine the reserves. He emphasised the need that private sector must come forward and establish coal-based power generation units. Pakistan has also the required technology. Power generated from coal would cost around Rs 5 per unit, he added.
To a question, he said that Pakistan nuclear programme was in safe hands and the country has the capability to develop cruse missiles. President KCCI Saeed Shafiq emphasised on the need of utilising natural and mineral resources for bringing country out of the present economic turmoil. He also highlighted the purpose of holding conference on "Mera Pakistan."