Ahsan Iqbal says political stability imperative for sustainable development

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday said political stability was vital for attaining sustainable development and prosperity in the country.

“The civilian governments from fifth prime minister of Pakistan Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy to current Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have not been let establish political stability,”  he said while addressing a Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) youth convention in Islamabad.

He said whenever the country embarked upon a path of progress, anti-developmental elements became active to create political instability. “The governments were dissolved in the past by using clause 2B of Article 58 of the constitution,” he said.

The minister said anti-development forces were busy in hatching conspiracies to break the current momentum of expeditious development in the country.

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He said the back of terrorism had been broken and the country’s security forces had rendered unmatched sacrifices. He said tourism was thriving in the country as a result of improved law and order situation.

Ahsan Iqbal said huge investment has been made in human resource, energy, and infrastructure sectors. He said 10,000 megawatt of electricity will be added to the national grid by next year.

“World financial institutions are now acknowledging the economic achievements of Pakistan and predicting that Pakistan will be among top 20 economies by 2030,” he said.

He said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor would prove to be a milestone in country’s history, and it would make Pakistan a trade hub in the region.

Meanwhile, in a meeting with a high-level Chinese delegation in Islamabad today, the planning minister said the establishment of economic zones under CPEC carried much significance for the development of the country.

The meeting reviewed progress of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and preparations for 7th Joint Cooperation Committee.

Ahsan Iqbal said development of Gwadar was priority of the government and its master plan would be completed soon.

The Chinese delegates said every possible effort will be made to ensure timely completion of CPEC projects.

During their four-day visit, the Chinese delegation will hold meetings with Pakistani leaders, business community and review the proposed of economic zones.

The provincial governments will also brief the delegates about their Special Economic Zones and their investment plans.