Pakistan's growth rate during current fiscal year 2003-04 would be close to 6 percent and "We are looking at much higher growth of 8 percent over the next three years", said Federal Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz.
This year's figures and indicators are good. We are looking for increased domestic investment. The revenues collection and exports are all heading up, he noted.
The minister said that Federal Budget for next fiscal 2004-05 would be marked by consistency and continuity of reforms. China and Association of South East Asian Nations Asean have maintained a sense of direction in this regard, he observed.
Speaking at launching of book consisting of articles written by Jawaid Iqbal at Finance and Trade Centre on Saturday, Shaukat Aziz said the government was focussing on increasing spending on infrastructure. "We are creating opportunities and space for achieving accelerated growth".
He said Pakistan was no more going with a begging bowl to international financial institutions. It is sense of pride for all of us. Moreover the transparency level in Pakistan is now much better.
He said Pakistan's Euro Bonds floated in international market recently were oversubscribed four times. He said the government would welcome constructive criticism, but felt it should be based on facts. Some goods things happening in the country should also be highlighted, he added.
The minister said Pakistan was facing challenges in fields of health, education, jobs, skills, etc.
Shaukat Aziz said Friday's events in Karachi, in which 14 people were killed and 100 injured during attack on mosque, definitely hurt image of the country as well as investment climate, at a time when overall economic situation was fast returning to great improvement.
"We must go to root cause as to why such sad incidents happen by addressing these. Pakistan is a strong and stable country of 145 million people. There is imperative need for tolerance and listening to each other with open mind," he stressed.
He spoke of following Enlightened Moderation concept given by President Pervez Musharraf and underlined need for harmony, peace and goodwill.
Others who spoke were writer of book On Record Jawaid Iqbal, former Sindh Governor Moinuddin Haider, former Information Minister Javed Jabbar, Dr Masuma Hasan, Agha Masud Hussain and Anwer Maqsud.
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