Public priorities: ‘Sharifs want to make Pakistan an Asian Tiger’

MNA says improving living standards one of the govt’s priorities.

LAHORE:

The repeated reduction in the price of petroleum products exemplifies the fact that improving peoples’ living standards is a priority of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, National Assembly Member Pervaiz Malik said on Saturday.

He was speaking at a public meeting. Malik, who is also the PML-N Lahore president, said the government had been striving to put the nation on the road to progress and prosperity and the day was not far when Pakistan would stand erect among the comity of nations. He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif wanted Pakistan to become an “Asian Tiger.” Malik said they wanted to make the country a hub of trade and economic activity.

He said the recent discovery of mineral reserves in Chiniot-Rajoa was a divine gift which would enable the nation to become self-reliant.

Malik said the government and the military were determined to eradicate the scourge of terrorism. He said all resources would be used to realise this target. Malik said the government was using all resources at its disposal to quickly overcome the energy shortfall.  He said the prime minister had launched scores of programmes that would generate thousands of jobs and strengthen the national economy. “Those giving the impression of a grand alliance are living in a fool’s paradise. Political nonentities will not succeed,” Malik said.

The MNA said the government had been exchanging ideas with the private sector to boost foreign direct investment.

He said the nation’s poor risk perception had taken its toll on the national economy. Malik said the government had been trying to overcome the challenge by involving Chambers of Commerce and Industry nationwide through a comprehensive policy.

He said several foreign investors had expressed interest in various sectors including energy, petroleum and communications at the recent two-day International Investment Conference. Malik expressed hope that an increase in business activity would facilitate job creation. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3^rd, 2015.