Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz declared here on Thursday night that Pakistan today is not that of yesterday but the Pakistan of tomorrow. "We are rebranding Pakistan to reflect its true value and potential to the world and the country is set to attain the growth rate of 8 percent during the next 3 years as against 7 percent today and 6.4 percent of last year.
He was speaking as chief guest at a dinner hosted for the foreign and Pakistani delegates attending the Expo-2005 inaugurated by President Pervez Musharraf here Wednesday.
The dinner was largely attended, among others, by Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan, Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar, Governor State Bank Dr Ishrat Husain, Minister of State and Chairman Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Tariq Ikram besides a number of federal and provincial ministers, visiting ministers and deputy ministers and prominent business and trade people end heads of organisations from a large number of countries.
The prime minister gave an eloquent view of Pakistan's buoyant, vibrant and fast growing economy and said today's Pakistan is an "exciting Pakistan" for the world.
He pointed out that some 500 delegates and several thousand guests from world over have gathered here at Expo-2005, the showcase of Pakistan, and to see what Pakistan can produce and see what Pakistan is all about.
"Those who are coming to Pakistan for the first time, are perhaps still in a state of shock because the impression they may have heard before coming here, has entirely changed".
Shaukat Aziz said during the visit they will not only see the real picture of Pakistan but business-wise also have their visit productive.
He gave the background history of Pakistan since Indus civilisation at length and said the Expo-2005 is going to provide them an opportunity to see the softer side of this country.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said he is proud that this prestigious mega event is being held in Karachi which is the hub of growing economy of the region.
He said our economy has transformed during the last 5 years. From 5 years till today we have moved to cut a long way.
"Pakistan of today is a country with high growth rate with per capita income rising and middle class growing fast. We see a lot of vibrancy and lot of activity today".
Shaukat Aziz described attaining a growth rate of around 7 percent a great achievement as against 6.4 percent growth rate of last year and said our vision is that in the next three years we are hopeful to attain a growth rate of 8 percent.
The Premier said this growth rate allows Pakistan and its people to raise their standard of living and improve the quality of life which is already beginning to happen.
He pointed out that with a growth rate of 7 percent, the per capita income will rise and people will spend snore and that will create more momentum in the economy.
Shaukat Aziz said this buoyancy in economy is sustainable and will provide a base for even higher growth rate in the years to come.
He said one of the reasons why Pakistan is growing at these rates and why the economy is going high, is the macro economic management, but more importantly what is unique in Pakistan are the structural reforms introduced by the government.
Last 5 years, the Premier informed, have seen a very comprehensive reform agenda implemented by the government to make the country and economy moving. It is one of the most extensive reforms introduced by any developing country and in a short period of 5 years; the impact of reforms is already visible.
He said change is difficult but our reforms have brought a change through sheer hard work, diligence, good leadership and all the sense of consistency and continuity prove that reforms can bring a real impact.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz told the gathering that the reforms were broad-based covering host of sectors - financial sector, capital market which is now setting records, most profitable stock market besides a tremendous improvement in the banking and financial sector, IT sector, telecommunication sectors - all due to reforms introduced by the government.
These reforms, the premier continued, were not a series of adhoc measures which the government initiated, but based on philosophy and conviction how to manage the economy and run the government.
It entails a total commitment to deregulation, privatisation and total commitment to raise the spirit of our entrepreneurs and capabilities of our country.
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