Reforms in Pakistan are institution based: Shaukat

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that reforms in various sectors in Pakistan "are institution-based" and his government was making sincere efforts to make the country a vibrant, progressive, and moderate Islamic welfare state.
Addressing the councillors and mayors of Pakistan origin here soon after his arrival from Oslo on Friday night, he said, "Pakistan is getting better and better; but still there are challenges and, with the passage of the time, the economic conditions of the country will further improve."
The Prime Minister said that the government "is working with dedication, conviction and courage" to take the nation forward and put the country on the road of progress and prosperity.
He urged the members of all political parties to join hands for the progress and prosperity of the country, and said that as the opposition expressed unity on the issue of no-confidence motion against him, he urged the opposition to show unity on national issues, too.
On the issue of terrorism and extremism, Shaukat said that Pakistan has been taking several measures to tackle this issue, which has become an international problem. He said that Pakistan is itself victim of terrorism and has made efforts to contain it, but still international co-operation and assistance was needed to resolve the root causes of terrorism.
He said Pakistanis living in the United Kingdom and other countries had to play active role in this regard and help the government in the fight against the extremist elements.
Explaining the economic reforms in Pakistan, he said that for the first time in the history of the country the government "has introduced Fiscal Responsibility Law" to ensure that loans should be within the range and according to the specified percentage to GDP.
The Prime Minister urged the Pakistanis living in UK to invest in Pakistan, taking full advantage of the liberal and business-friendly policies of the government. He assured them that the government would provide full protection to their investment.
He said that there is Board of Investment in Pakistan, which would provide help and assistance to the interested investors. He said Pakistan has legal system, which would provide protection and security to everyone.
About Balochistan situation, he said that President General Pervez Musharraf and he himself had been making efforts to ensure development in the province, which had been neglected in the past. He said that some tribal leaders "are against development, and have always challenged" the writ of the government, and the law enforcing agencies had to play their due role.
The Prime Minister said that the government had started a number of projects for Balochistan at a cost of Rs 135 billion, which also include construction of Gwadar Port.
Referring to other development projects in the country, he said that Pakistan has tremendous history and exciting future with a great potential for development. He said that due to liberal economic policies, a number of foreign investors are coming to Pakistan, which also include investors from UK. He especially referred to the investment of $600 million by Norwegian firm Telenor, to be increased to $1 billion very soon.
The Prime Minister said that per capita income in Pakistan has increased to $850. The deficit is under control and the economy has the capacity to absorb the shock of increasing oil price, he added. The benefits of economic growth, he said, have been now transferring to the common man with the improvement of living standard.
He said that poverty has been reduced from 35 percent to 25 percent, "but there is still a lot to do more in this sector".
He said that foreign direct investment (FDI) had been a record of $3.8 billion last year. He said the government has started skill development programmes to impart training to people through need-based programmes to fill the skill gap.
Regarding reconstruction work in the earthquake areas, he said it was in full swing, and added that Pakistan, due to its good reputation, was able to raise $6.8 billion from world donors for this purpose. He added that the earthquake was a major test for the government to handle the disaster, and the government remained successful in it.
The Prime Minister said that democratic process is fully functional and the parliament is free to discuss and debate each and every subject. He said it would be an honour for the present government to complete its tenure, as PML along with its coalition partners has comfortable majority.
He said that next elections would be held according to schedule next year. About the question of President General Pervez Musharraf to quit the office of Army Chief, he said that President Musharraf "is elected president" and he would take decision in accordance with the constitution when his present term as President would expire later next year. He said there is a laid down process in the constitution for the election of President, and added that President Musharraf would follow the constitution.
He said that the government believes in transparency of all decisions, which are not acceptable to some elements, who always try to destabilise the government.
Highlighting the foreign policy of the government, he said that Pakistan wants peaceful relations with its neighbours. He said Pakistan wants to resolve the Kashmir issue according to the aspirations of the Kashmiris through negotiations, and had started composite dialogue process with India in this regard.
About Iran, he said that Pakistan has always said that every country, including Iran, has the right to peaceful use of nuclear technology under the IAEA safeguards.
He said that Pakistan also wants to further improve relations with Afghanistan, as a strong and stable Afghanistan "is in the interest of Pakistan, and the people in the region". He said that Pakistan has still over three million Afghan refugees, and trade with Afghanistan has been increased to $1.5 billion, from just $50 million a couple of years ago.
With China, the Prime Minister said, Pakistan has very close and cordial relations and both countries have many joint ventures, particularly the project of JF-17, which would be completed next year.
About the complaints of increased prices of tickets by PIA, he said that it was mainly due to rise in oil prices, but assured the people that he would look into the matter. He said that PIA would introduce a package for Pakistani youth to visit Pakistan during summer vacations.
On the question of role of madaressahs, the Prime Minister said that they are playing important role in promoting education. He said that the government has introduced reform system in these seminaries.
Pakistan High Commissioner in UK, Dr Maliha Lodhi appreciated the role of Pakistanis in the British system. She said that a number of people of Pakistan origins have been elected councillors and mayors and have been contributing in an effective manner in the democratic system of UK.
The ceremony was also attended by Minister of State for Economic Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister of State for Environment Amin Aslam, Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance Dr Salman Shah and a large number of Pakistanis living in UK.