Political stability imperative for development of country, says Marriyum

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information and National History Marriyum Aurangzeb on Thursday said political stability was imperative for development of the country and the achievements in that regard during the last few years were the dividends of the continuation of democracy.

“Continuation of the democratic system was absolutely necessary for development of the country and prosperity of the people,” she said while addressing the inaugural ceremony of Rawal Expo International organized by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry here.

She prayed for the continuation and strengthening of democracy.

The MOS said that in 2013 people were talking about economic bankruptcy of the country but today Pakistan was being acknowledged as one of the emerging economies. The change that occurred in the economic profile of the country was before the eyes of everybody, she said.

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She said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government had taken concrete measures to tide over the energy crisis and the electricity produced during the last four years was unprecedented in the history of Pakistan.

Marriyum observed that the power projects initiated by the government would add 11000MW electricity to the system.

She said that load-shedding for the industrial sector had ended in December 2014 and presently the country was producing more electricity than the current demand for it.

The minister said that due to checking terrorism in its tracks and tiding over the energy crisis, foreign investors were showing keen interest in the expo and the participation of the foreign industrial concerns in it was a ranting testimony of the fact that due to the restoration of peace in the country the confidence of the foreign investors had been revived.

She said that people from all walks of life would have to work for reinforcing the image of peaceful Pakistan. The minister said that the country was now fighting the war of perception which had to be fought with impregnable unity.

The state minister claimed that there had been 88% reduction in the incidents of terrorism in the country which was a sequel to the steps taken in consonance with the unmatched sacrifices offered by the armed forces, law enforcing agencies and police.

“Pakistan has sacrificed 70,000 lives in the war against terrorism and the present situation is far better than 2013,” she said.

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She said that all the state institutions and segments of society contributed in restoring peace in the country. She said the peace in the country boosts national trade and industry.

Marriyum said that record foreign investment had been made in Pakistan due to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project adding that One Belt One Road was not only a mega project but also a corridor to prosperity and development of Pakistan for which the entire nation was grateful to its great friend China.

She said that the PML-N government revived the development projects which were pending for the last 55 years including the Lowari Tunnel venture.