National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain has assailed the misconception that law and order situation in Pakistan was unsatisfactory for foreign investors.
"Such a claim is totally untrue and unwarranted," he forcefully said here on Saturday while addressing the Pakistani-Americans, at the Pakistan Embassy.
"Those uttering such fantastic remarks are either not aware themselves or are making such portrayal with an ill intent," he added.
By all standards, the law and order situation in Pakistan is far better than in many countries. In support of his contention, he mentioned the security situation in Mexico, which he visited recently.
He said, the residences had huge surrounding walls, with gates of steel and big locks, which are operated by electronic devices.
He said there is no society where there is no crime. While there is always room to improve, he said, it is, however, not justified "to propagate a thing which is not so worrisome."
The general law and order situation in Pakistan is far better than many countries, he said, and requested the well-off Pakistani-Americans to invest in Pakistan, which would lead to creation of job opportunities and gearing up industrialisation.
There could be joint ventures with Pakistani parties, and there was lucrative potential for investments.
Among others, tourism was an industry, which deserves attention, and in which investments could be made, besides hundreds of value-added industries, hydro carbon, water and power, agro-based industries.
He lauded the rich contribution of the expatriates in earning foreign exchange and sending it to Pakistan, which was a major factor impacting national economy.
"The country is stable, with better law and order, a working parliamentary system, and an elected government with a Prime Minister who enjoys chief executive's powers."
Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves today were all time high at over 12 billion dollars, there was brisk activity in the stock market, all economic indicators show positive results, inflation rate is under control, there are less taxes, high growth rate, and a free market environment.
Pakistanis abroad, he said were ambassadors of the country, and their conduct should be such that it benefits Pakistan and the countrymen.
In respect of relations with India, Speaker National Assembly said, tension in bilateral relations has lowered, and there is a fair determination to resolve matters peacefully by pursuing dialogue process, which was initiated in the wake of summit level meeting between the leaders of both India and Pakistan, in Saarc at Islamabad in January last.
He said it was imperative to resolve the core issue of Kashmir in accordance with the UN resolutions.
Chaudhry Amir Hussain said there had been many confidence-building measures, and exchange of delegations between India and Pakistan, including those of traders, legislators, sportsmen, scholars and politicians.
"Pakistanis are for peace and stability in South Asia," he said. "We are against terrorism. In fact, Pakistan has itself been victim of terrorism," he stated.
Amir Hussain lauded the resolve of President Pervez Musharraf to bravely took up and supported Pakistan's role as a frontline state, and wage a war against terror, in the best interest of Pakistan.
To a question, he said a Speaker was a non-partisan figure, who had to act as custodian of the House, and hence, his conduct should be over and above party divide.
In response to a question, he said in respect of contract enforcement, the state itself is the guarantor. Hence, all foreign contracts were legal documents and guaranteed.
He said those claiming that foreign investment contracts could be in danger with any change of governments in Pakistan, was making a false and baseless statement. In support of his statement, he referred to the matter of IPPs, which he said, the government was honouring.
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