Finance Minister and Prime Minister-designate Shaukat Aziz on Saturday reiterated his resolve to make Pakistan economically strong and an Islamic welfare state.
He was addressing two different delegations from NA-59 Attock, comprising Ulema, teachers, doctors, councillors and elders of the constituency, who called on him separately.
The members of the delegations strongly condemned suicide attack on Shaukat Aziz in Fateh Jang last week, and termed it a conspiracy against Pakistan and Islam.
Shaukat Aziz said that his mission is to serve Islam and Pakistan, and called for making joint efforts to make the country a strong Islamic state.
The Finance Minister said that after achieving the economic growth of 6.4 percent in previous fiscal, the government has fixed a target of 6.6 percent for the current financial year and the rate will be enhanced to 8 percent in the next three years.
Highlighting the importance of agriculture and industrial sectors in the economy of the country, Shaukat said that the economic policies and reforms would continue for the socio-economic development of the country.
He said that government would pass on the benefits of the achievements of the macroeconomic stability to the common man in order to improve their living conditions.
The Finance Minister said that manpower is the biggest resource for the development of the country and government is focusing on the human capital development to achieve this objective.
He added that in the Budget 2004-05 a number of steps have been announced for the training and skill development of manpower in order to provide employment opportunities within the country and abroad for the skilled manpower.
Shaukat Aziz also called for promotion of quality and technical education for the development of the country.
The Finance Minister said that the government has allocated Rs 202 billion for the Public Sector Development Programme 2004-05 for various development and infrastructure projects in the country.
Shaukat said that it is the government's resolve to improve level of social services so that the people of Pakistan receive better health care, education and social services.
He expressed his deep sorrow over the deaths and injuries of the innocent persons in a suicide attack on him and assured that the affected families and injured persons will be compensated and one each from the bereaved families will be offered government jobs.
Shaukat Aziz urged the delegation to him in the by-election for the progress and prosperity of the country.
The speakers on the occasion lauded the contribution of Shaukat Aziz for cause of Pakistan and economic stability.