Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday said here that closer relationship between Pakistan and the United States "is in the best interests" of both countries.
"It is a matter of national interest which determines quality of relations between nations," he said, adding that it was true about Pak-US relations as well, which were driven by their national interests.
"It is true of today, as the matter is true of tomorrow." Shaukat Aziz, who had earlier made a keynote speech at the prestigious 'Brookings Institution', was responding to queries at the question-answer session.
The luncheon meeting was hosted by Stephen Philip Cohen, senior Fellow of the Brookings.
In response to a question, Shaukat said that friends also render help and assistance when they find that the country is governing well, and its commitment is over and above any doubt.
Since Pakistan now has creditable programs, based on strength of reforms, good governance and clarity of purpose, "our friends, including the United States, are convinced, and hence, they are forthcoming in their support and assistance for the country."
He said that support from the United States, bilaterally and multilaterally, had helped Pakistan achieve some of its objectives. But, unless a country shows good governance, no friend can trust and lend support. "It is certainly the strength of reforms in Pakistan and it was clarity of purpose that has helped us gain support and show improved results."
Shaukat in his earlier remarks said that Pakistan "has a lot of challenges" posed to it. "If there is a clear sense of direction, and the necessary passion and drive to achieve something, one can do many positive things.
Ours is still a work in progress, though implementation of reforms and their continuity have augured well, and a definitive improvement in national economy is holistically there."
In this behalf, he referred to the positive economic indicators that Pakistan has successfully achieved. He said, it takes dedicated efforts for an economic improvement to rightly trickle down to the lower levels of the masses.
He said there certainly was "an image problem" which, he said, "we had to take up as a challenge" and as a mission.
"We are excited over the accomplishment in respect of our economy in Pakistan," he said adding that the policies pursued by President General Pervez Musharraf had now been continued by Prime Minister Zafarullah Than Jamali, "and this is how national economy has further geared up" and taken off.
"There are no U-turns, which used to be our past hallmark," he said, referring to previous tenures. "It requires wisdom and courage to own and continue a prudent policy, which brings assured laurels." Reforms, he stated, take a lot of time to shape, ripen and show results. "But, still, we have a long way to go." "We thank the support extended by the United States, and others, which matters immensely," he said.
Shaukat Aziz said: "We have a long way to go, though all economic indicators suggest definitive improvement. But, we have a lot of work to do."
In respect of social sector, he said that education, health, power, etc, besides welfare and uplift of womenfolk, are being given attention.
This is the same country, he said, which was adjudged by the 'Transparency International' four years ago as the most corrupt country. "Our listing has remarkably improved."
He said Pakistan had been able to plug the loopholes, systematise procedures, restrict and halt discretionary powers, effect self-assessment of income tax, and effect structural reforms.
Responding to a question, he said Pakistan was doing quite well much before 9/11 (September 11, 2001) which, he said, resulted in cancelling of its trade orders due to the fact that Pakistan soon became the frontline state. In this respect, he referred to the first IMF and Paris Club agreements ahead of September 11, 2001.
He said the $3 billion multiyear US aid package announced by President Bush at Camp David last year was a historic measure and a gesture of closeness of friendship. "We welcome it. It, in fact, is a vote of confidence in our policies." With it, he said, the Exim Bank, OPIC, and international lending agencies benefited Pakistan immensely.
Besides, he said, Saudi Arabia and China have been strong allies of Pakistan.
Stephen Cohen earlier introduced the Finance Minister of Pakistan, and praised his acumen and commitment. "I admire your persistence," he told Aziz, and observed that Pakistan "is in race with itself and history".
He lauded Pakistan's role in the fight against global terrorism, "It is in the US interest that Pakistan makes progress, and is stable and prosperous."
In the wake of his concluding remarks, Cohen presented to Shaukat Aziz his book 'Millennium Challenge', as a token of appreciation.
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