Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Friday that the government was working on a "new economic structure" to accelerate the development pace in the country. "We have decided to restructure eight large national industries to improve their efficiency and profitability," he said while speaking at the inauguration of "Burhani Centennial Trade Expo" at Karachi Expo Centre here.
He said the purpose of this exercise was to enhance the productivity of both the private and national units. The Prime Minister pointed out that country's economic situation was improving. "Our exports have grown significantly, home remittances have doubled while foreign exchange reserves have crossed $17 billion mark, touching the highest level in the country's history," he announced amid applause.
"When we came in the government, the KSE 100 Index was at 5,000 level. Now it has crossed the 12,000 level," he said. Gilani said the government was confronting the challenges of terrorism, the aftermath of floods and energy crisis. The government has taken effective measures against terrorism and has effectively controlled this menace. After the defeat at the hands of Jawans of Pakistan Army and law enforcing agencies, the terrorists have resorted to cowardly acts and trying to terrorise innocent and unarmed citizen with suicide attacks.
"I wanted to tell them that the entire nation has rejected their anti-Islam agenda, because Islam is a religion of peace, which teaches brotherhood, harmony, love and welfare," he observed. The Prime Minister said the government is utilising all its resources to fight against terrorism. However, it is also the responsibility of wealthy people to play their due role in the economic development of the country to generate jobs for the youth so that they do not become the instrument of these elements and they instead utilise their talent for the development of the country.
He said Bohra community has played an important role in moving the wheel of industrial and trading activities in this city. The Prime Minister invited the spiritual leader of Bohra community Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin to visit Pakistan. In his welcome address, Syedna Mehlan Bhai Hakimuddin, the son of Syed Burhanuddin, highlighted the services of Bohra community in Pakistan.