Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz expected that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) target would not only be met but exceed. This he attributed to better economic indicators in the first quarter with rise in revenue, investment, industrial production and better prospects of agricultural growth despite earlier apprehensions of water scarcity for Rabi crop. The Prime Minister had an informal talk after Iftar-dinner he hosted for media men at the Prime Minister secretariat here on Sunday on the eve of his visit to three Saarc-member countries - Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
Answering a question about his visit, the Prime Minister said as outgoing Saarc chairman, he is visiting three countries in the first phase. In the second phase, he would go to the remaining Saarc countries after Eid-ul-Fitr.
The Prime Minister added he would discuss multilateral and bilateral co-operation with the three countries. Greater economic co-operation, trade, investment and bilateral matters will be the focus of discussion.
Questioned about the State Bank report, which expressed concern over the rising oil prices, which may affect overall growth during the current year, the Prime Minister pointed out that the State Bank report mainly focuses on the economic development of preceding year.
The economic indicators for the first quarter of current fiscal are "very positive", which promise that growth target of 6.6 percent would be met. "We may do even better," he stressed.
This year's agricultural growth is expected to be good. The rice, cotton and sugarcane crops are better. Greater import of urea and pesticides and higher credit for this sector signal higher growth.
He added that the availability of water for the Rabi crop, which was earlier feared to be poor, is now seen "to be not that alarming".
As regards the industrial sector, the Prime Minister added that on the basis of 38 percent increase in import of machinery and raw materials and increase in investment, the industrial sector this year is expected to show higher growth.
Reminded how government would continue to bear the extra burden of abnormally high oil prices, the Prime Minister said oil prices depend on the international market. We have frozen oil prices and absorbed them on the domestic side. For the future, he added, we would study the situation.
Questioned about the building of new dams and which would come first, Kalabagh or Bhasha dam, Shaukat Aziz said the country needs to build water reservoirs, as water is becoming scarce due to several factors including silting of dams.
The cabinet would take a decision, which dam to be built first and place it before the nation.
APP adds: The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan's position on Kashmir, saying there is no change in its policy.
"Pakistan's fundamental position on Kashmir remains the same and it desires a solution according to the wishes of Kashmiri people," Shaukat said.
He said Pakistan seeks a peaceful solution of all outstanding issues with India including the lingering dispute of Jammu and Kashmir.
Prime Minister Aziz, however, stressed "sacrifices of Kashmiris will not go waste".
He said recent remarks of the President on Kashmir were to hold an internal debate to elicit public opinion, which might bring out options reflecting various shades of public opinion.
He said he would be visiting India soon after Eid and meet his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh and Congress leader Sonic Gandhi.
"We wish to take the composite dialogue forward and talks are already going on at different levels."
To a question, he said both the countries need to move together in all their affairs.
He said Pakistan will have its ties with India on the basis of principles and there will be no compromise.
To a question about the abduction of Chinese engineers, he said adequate security measures have been taken for the protection of Chinese in the country.
He said China was Pakistan's trusted friend and had helped it in its economic development. He said it was the responsibility of the government to provide them security and was fulfilling its obligation.
About the excesses of police and the "thana culture" which has made the life of ordinary citizens miserable, the Prime Minister said, he would be addressing the nation before Eid and unveil plan about judiciary reform.
About bomb blast at a hotel in Islamabad, he said: "There has been no evidence of any explosive material at the scene."
To a question about parleys with the opposition, the Prime Minister said talks at different levels were continuing, as the government believed in the policy of tolerance, reconciliation and consultation.
About talks with the PPP, he said government was in contact with all political parties.
About the matter of quorum in both houses of the parliament, he said it has been settled with effective handling of the chief whip.
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