Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday asked Pakistanis working in Libya to work hard, with sincerity and commitment and to strive for excellence in their fields, to bring laurels to the country.
Addressing a large gathering of Pakistanis, the Prime Minister urged them to send their remittances through banking channels and avoid the illegal means like "hundi."
He said the Pakistani community living abroad remits over $4.5 billion dollars a year and termed it a significant contribution in strengthening the national economy.
Shaukat Aziz said that more than $3 billion of foreign direct investment (FDI) will be injected into Pakistan, as compared to an average of $1 billion a year, which he said was the highest ever. The Prime Minister said country's economic indicators were positive and measures were afoot to further strengthen them.
He said the country had abundant resources, but the people required to work with unity, faith and discipline, and a commitment to the nation to take the country forward in all spheres of life.
He said Colonel Qaddafi was a well-known figure in Pakistan and was seen as a great leader. Both the countries, Aziz said, were working hard to achieve closer ties in diverse fields.
He said in his talks with Libyan leaders he discussed ways and means to increase export of Pakistani manpower, both skilled and unskilled, which he added will lead to a closer people-to-people contacts. He said the Libyan leadership appreciated the role of Pakistanis in building their nation and agreed to his proposal of allowing import of more manpower.
He also gave the community an overview of Pakistan's economy, political situation, achievements in different areas, country's relations with its neighbours and the challenges it was facing.
He said all elements of democracy were functioning with a sovereign parliament, free press and an independent judiciary. He said there were no restrictions whatsoever in the political field as a result of which the democratic institutions were taking roots and are evolving to maturity.
He said the country faced numerous challenges, but added that it was facing these with courage and was progressing rapidly in all spheres. He said new roads, communication infrastructure and mega projects like water reservoirs were being built to further strengthen the national economy. He said 13,000 new villages will be provided electricity by the year 2007.
He said PIA would soon be starting services with a local airline Buraq to facilitate the Pakistanis.
To a question, Prime Minister Aziz said the government believed in imparting quality education for all and said a Pakistani school will be established in Libya for the children of expatriate Pakistanis. He also assured that measures will be taken for imparting degrees to Pakistani students who wish to graduate from Pakistani universities.
He said the issue of family visas will also be discussed with the Libyan leaders.
Aziz told them that Pakistan desire a peaceful solution of the Kashmir dispute with India through dialogue. He also apprised them of the composite dialogue process going on with India and the confidence building measures the two countries have embarked upon to improve their ties. He said Pakistan seeks a resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of the people of Kashmir.
About Afghanistan, the Prime Minister said Pakistan believed in a strong and stable Afghanistan. He however stressed that all the countries involved need to have a clear-cut exit strategy in collaboration with all the neighbours. He said over 60,000 Pakistanis were working and helping the country in its rebuild efforts. He said peace and stability in Afghanistan will lead to a stronger Pakistan.
He also informed the gathering about the way the nation stood together to face the challenges in the aftermath of the October 8 earthquake and also the role of Pakistanis living abroad, who rose to the occasion to help their brethren.
Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Khan Ghouri, Minister for Science and Technology Nouraiz Shakoor, Minister for Privatisation Zahid Hamid, Minister of State for Economic Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, Foreign Affairs Khusro Bakhtiar and Industries Hamid Yar Hiraj, MNAs, accompanying businessmen also attended the meeting.
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