Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira on Monday said betterment of all Pakistanis is prime focus of PPP-led government, as numerous measures have been adopted to put the country on a right constitutional and democratic path.
Pakistan's economy is improving, energy problem is being resolved through launch of new power projects and with proactive policies of the government, inflation was also decreased from 35 to 13 per cent, he said, while addressing the Pakistani community living in the Scandinavian country.
The minister said to achieve development goals, Pakistan needs new technology and foreiign investment, specially, in industrial and agriculture sectors for better economic growth. He said Pakistan needs easy access to the world market and now the time has come to stand on our own feet as the country cannot afford borrowing the money from different financial institutions and countries. The PPP-led democratic government was committed to making the country economically and socially strong and stable as envisioned by our elders.
Elaborating Pakistan's commitment towards combating terrorism, Qamar Zaman Kaira said Swat and around are almost evacuated from the Taliban and rest of that would also be cleared soon. He said particular mindset that causes extremism would be eliminated from the society and added the need is to remove a thinking from the minds of those who are responsible for terrorism.
Kaira said that terrorists were our enemies and Pakistan would eliminate them in numbers. He said that Independence Day was a momentous occasion for the entire nation and need was to forge unity among our ranks to ensure progress and development. The minister also acknowledged the services of Pakistan Armed Forces in the war against terrorism as our officers and jawans sacrificed their precious lives for the security and betterment of the mother land.
Kaira, who is on a three-day visit to Oslo also attended a function hosted in his honour by Overseas Welfare Foundation. Ambassador of Pakistan to Norway, Rabnawaz Khan, President of the Organisation, Chaudhry Javed Iqbal, Chief Organiser, Chaudhry Qamar Farooq, members of the organisation and staff of embassy attended the function.
In his brief address, Qamar Zaman Kaira highlighted efforts of the government to resolve power, wheat and sugar crisis. He said country was facing shortage, but with increase in support price this year, surplus of 0.2 million ton wheat has been produced.
The minister said for the provincial matters a constitutional committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Senator Raza Rabbani and it will furnish recommendation to solve issue of provincial autonomy. He also mentioned objectives of Benazir Support Programme to provide help to downtrodden people.
The minister said to resolve load-shedding, Rental Power Plants (RPPs) have been arranged. A feasibility report on Bhasha Dam has been prepared and work would start on site soon. He said people of Swat have bravely fought for the survival of Pakistan, and they would not be left alone in this hour of need. 'I salute their courage, our spirit is very high and with unity we would defeat the elements who were against the progress, peace and stability of our beloved country,' he added.
He said, federal and provincial government would work jointly to ensure speedy economic development and reconstruction phase, and added that Rs 50 billion have been earmarked in budget for the progress and development of Swat. More amounts would be allocated if necessary to help overcome difficulties of the affected people.
Questions relating to security, economy, corruption, power plants and IDPs were asked which he replied to their satisfaction. On the occasion, Pakistan's Ambassador to Norway announced the embassy would restart receiving applications for Nadra's cards from September 1. He also highlighted the importance of Independence Day of Pakistan and asked the community to send their remittances through banking system. Telenor Vice President and one of the office bearers of Overseas Welfare Foundation, Chaughry Ghazanfar Ali Khan also spoke on the occasion.
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