The United States, whose endeavour to bring peace and security to Afghanistan and larger South Asian region depends critically on Pakistan, should invest in developing infrastructure in the South Asian country, a political economist said.
"If Pakistan is to serve at the centre of trade between South Asian countries and the Central Asian region, then the US and its allies must devote resources to helping Islamabad step up the process of building roads, bridges and rail links as well as energy projects," Dr Shahzad Latif said in an interview.
The Chicago-based economist cited President Dwight Eisenhower's achievement in this respect, saying in 1930s the American leader envisioned and embarked on a plan to build roads stretching all across America thus connecting all of its cities and towns to each other."
This proved to be a major reason in making the United States an economic might." Besides, infrastructure facilities help bridge the divide between the rich and the rural underprivileged communities as the network gives everyone a big chance to transport their goods and introduce them to the main market.
Islamabad, he said, should present to its friends in the international community a plan to build road infrastructure that would establish new economic hubs and fuel both agricultural and industrial growth. Dr Shahzad noted that a network of infrastructure will give economic opportunity to people and help reduce real estate inflation. Besides, he said, having good and safe roads to tourist destinations boosts tourism economy.