Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has spelt out a five-point strategy to realise Economic Co-operation Organisation's (ECO) cherished goals of economic integration. Addressing the ECO Summit in Tajik capital, Dushanbe, on Tuesday Shaukat said that ECO policies must be result-oriented, and called for devising a proper mechanism to ensure their implementation.
Elaborating on the strategy to achieve ECO goals, the Prime Minister stressed the need of operationalising the ECO trade agreement, transit transport agreement and the ECO Trade and Development Bank at the earliest.
He said that member countries should fully utilise the dynamism and initiative of the private sector and linkages with other regional blocs on priority basis.
He referred to the challenges of globalisation, and said: "We should overcome our shortcomings and harness our resources to become globally competitive."
He said: "We have to increase our economic strength and improve the skills of our peoples. We must acquire technological prowess and augment vibrancy of our institutions."
The Prime Minister emphasised that the regional co-operation was an effective response to the challenges of globalisation.
"ECO represents our best hope for expansion of trade and economic relations." He said Pakistan with its geographic proximity to Central Asia was prepared to play a key role. "Our capital is closer to many ECO countries and Pakistan offers the shortest route to the sea," he added.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan has put in place all relevant services, which range from transport and trade to business and joint ventures and from banking and insurance to technical expertise.
"Pakistan is developing additional infrastructure which will serve both our bilateral and transit trade with Central Asia," he said.
The Gwadar Port was nearing completion and would offer tremendous prospects, he said, adding that it lies outside the traditional areas of conflict.
Shaukat informed the Summit that Pakistan is also studying prospects of linking Peshawar with Termez in Uzbekistan and Chaman with Kushka in Turkmenistan. These would make credible trade routes to the markets of West, Far East and beyond, he added.
The Prime Minister praised the ECO for making an encouraging progress in institutionalising sectoral ministerial meetings. The ECO Trade Agreement, he said, would facilitate significant reduction in tariff and would help in removing non-tariff barriers.
The Prime Minister termed information and communication technology as major factors in integration of financial markets. "We should redouble our efforts to promote co-operation in these fields," he added.
Shaukat said that Pakistan government's wide-ranging structural reforms and prudent policies have managed to steer it to safer waters and the country now has a stable and resurgent economy.
He said the country is poised for growth in excess of 6 percent this year. "Confidence of the private sector has been restored, industrial production has posted double digit growth and debt burden has declined significantly," the Prime Minister said, and added that current account balance has been in surplus for three years, the stock markets remain buoyant and overall environment was never so investor-friendly.
Shaukat reaffirmed Pakistan's firm resolve to combat terrorism and said that the menace must be countered in all its forms and manifestations. He said that Pakistan was playing its role in the international campaign against this menace and would never allow anyone to use its soil for terrorist activities.
He urged the ECO to address the issues of terrorism, drug trafficking and money laundering.
The Prime Minister said that combating terrorism required a comprehensive strategy, which should also focus on the root causes. He said it should not be allowed to justify state oppression of peoples demanding their fundamental and inalienable rights including the right of self-determination.
The Prime Minister underlined the need for making a clear distinction between terrorism and legitimate freedom struggle and said there was also a need to evolve a clear definition of terrorism.
Referring to the vision of 'enlightened moderation' as expounded by President Pervez Musharraf, the Prime Minister said, "it offers prescription for peace and harmony". As underscored by this vision, the West must play its role in addressing the causes of Muslim frustration and deprivation, he added.
On Pakistan-India relations, the Prime Minister reiterated that Pakistan was sincerely committed to resolution of all outstanding issues with India including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir through serious, sustained and result-oriented dialogue. He hoped that India would reciprocate Pakistan's sincerity and commitment in equal measure so that both countries can open a new chapter in their troubled relations.
Pakistan, he said, looked forward to the early resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the legitimate aspirations of Kashmiri people.
The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that after two decades of conflict, positive changes were in evidence in Afghanistan. He said that Pakistan welcomed these developments and renewed the country's support for the government of President Hamid Karzai.
The Prime Minister said the establishment of ECO Special Fund for reconstruction of Afghanistan was a positive step and merited support of all ECO members.
Later, while talking to newsmen at the Chaklala Airbase after his return, Shaukat said his meetings with the leaders will strengthen Pakistan's economic ties with member states.
He described his meetings 'very useful' and said these would lead to greater economic co-operation and open up new vistas for investment and trade.
About his bilateral meetings with ECO leaders he said Pakistan could use its ports at Karachi and Gwadar to serve as major transit points for goods destined for the Central Asia states.
Shaukat said Pakistan was interested in getting electricity from the Central Asian states. He said there was excess electricity in Central Asia and they were keen to sell it to Pakistan and help it meet its electricity needs.
He said he talked about the supply of natural gas from Iran and discussed trade and investment with Turkey. The summit, he said, provided a good opportunity to talk about wide-ringing issues with the heads of states.
He said Pakistan also apprised the leaders about the composite dialogue with India.
Pakistan seeks peace, particularly with its neighbours. We want progress on the issue of Indian occupied Kashmir and other issues can move in tandem with it.
He said the Indian occupied Kashmir issue needs to be resolved in accordance with the wishes of the people of Kashmir.
He said Pakistan apprised them about its position and measures it was taking to settle all outstanding issues with India.
When asked about his expectations from the ECO, he said all decisions need to be followed and the focus should be on results and these must be implemented.
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