March 20, 2002	Wednesday	Muharram 5, 1423

ISLAMABAD March 19: The manufacturing industry in last two decades in Pakistan lagged far behind in comparison to other newly emerging industrial countries of the region, with its share in the GDP standing at only about 16 per cent as against China’s 38pc, Malaysia’s 32 per cent, and Indonesia’s 25 per cent.

This was stated by Federal Secretary, Industries and Production, Dr Akram Sheikh during proceedings of the ad hoc Public Accounts Committee, which reviewed the audit reports pertaining to the industries/production department during 1999-2000, at Parliament House on Tuesday.

The PAC meeting was presided over by its chairman H.U. Baig and was also attended by members Lt. Gen. Talat Masood, Syed Shaukat Hussain, Akmal Hussain, Bhutto, officials from A.G. Office, representatives of industries and production department and journalists.—By Our Staff Reporter