Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that the economy of Pakistan has strengthened and standard of living of the people risen due to government policies of the last eight years. In an interview to a foreign news channel on Monday, he deliberated on the political situation and economic achievements of the country.
He said Pakistan has seen a major transition in the last eight years and life of the people has improved. "You go anywhere in the country, you will see a change. Pakistan is one country, compared to many other countries in the region, where you will not see anyone born on the pavement and dying on the pavement," he remarked. The Prime Minister said even in the slums of the country one would not see people without food.
"Pakistan has come a long way. We have improved the quality of life of the people. They are feeling better and they have a better future ahead of them and much more will happen," he said adding this is the government, which has reduced poverty by such a substantial number and this will keep going on.
Aziz said the government was working to create a skilled workforce and would provide better infrastructure, healthcare, job opportunities and education. "The sales have gone up exponentially of every major product in urban and rural areas. The population is 160 million so the absorptive capacity and the creation of a middle class is driving the growth and that is why poverty has come down to just 24 percent," he explained.
He said the government is still not satisfied and wants to bring down poverty further. "The average Pakistani today is feeling the benefits of change that's why you don't see people coming out on the streets and they are hoping for a better future," he observed.
He said he is confident that the people would see that good governance will get them a better future and then the ballot box at the end will have to decide what happens to Pakistan next. "We are very confident that our coalition will do extremely well and will continue its march towards progress, peace and prosperity," the Prime Minister added.
He said the government had done enough in Karachi to protect its citizens and in case of Benazir Bhutto there was a comprehensive security plan and thousands of policemen were deployed. "But when you are going on the street openly with lot of people coming in and out of the procession it becomes that much more challenging," he opined.
To a question about free movement of politicians in Pakistan, Aziz said all stakeholders should co-operate with each other and there should be a sense of trust. "We have to rely on our security people," he added. To another question about Karachi blasts, Aziz said, "it is premature to talk about who is responsible. We believe in proper process and we will go through an investigation."
Comments
Comments are closed.