Terming political stability as an important factor for socio-economic uplift, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms, Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Saturday said Pakistan would be among the 25 big economies in 2025 provided political stability sustained in the country.
"International financial institutions are now saying that Pakistan will be included in top 10 economies, if speed of progress remains the same," Ahsan said while speaking at National Excellency Awards distribution ceremony organised by the Young Engineers Council, here on Saturday. Ahsan maintained that several international investors are eager to invest in the country mainly due to economic policies pursued by the present government. "Policies were not responsible for failure but political instability had damaged the country's economy in the past," he said, adding: "Conspiracies against the country had failed."
He said Pakistani economy was growing fast and the GDP growth had reached at 5.3 per cent this year which is the highest in last 10 years. GDP growth was only 3.7 per cent in 2013. Highlighting achievements of the PML-N led government, Ahsan Iqbal said that 16,000 MW had been produced in 66 years of the country's history while 10,000 MW would be added in the national grid between 2014 and 2018 while a new record was being made in energy distribution and transmission lines. He said power projects are in the last phase of completion while Thar Coal project could produce energy for 400 years. He added that 2000 MW will be produced till 2020-2021 from nuclear power plant which will be able to produce energy round the year, he added.
He further said land of US$ one billion had been purchased for Diamir Bhasha Dam. It is planned that 30,000 to 40,000 MW will be produced from projects at the Indus River with the help of China, he said. He said the Lahore-Karachi Motorway project would be completed in 2018, while a revolution in Balochistan had been made due to construction of roads and highways, as the distance covered in 24 hours in the past now it could be covered in just eight hours. "Roads are the first step to progress and prosperity as they are helpful in the elimination of poverty and ignorance," he said. He said resources had been expanded in the country and progress could be witnessed in every sector.
About the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said this mega project is a practical picture of Pak-China friendship. He said that participation of 65 countries in One Belt One Road (OBOR) moot was an example of success and 100 more countries had requested to join the project.
Ahsan further said Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had approved internship for 20,000 engineers and it was being planned for the next financial year (20017-18) that 100,000 youths would be trained in the information technology. He stressed the engineers to work hard for the nation and government would also do its best for the welfare of engineers. Chairman Pakistan Engineering Council Engineer Javaid Saleem Qureshi and others also addressed the conference.
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