25 December 2004	Saturday	12 Ziqa'ad 1425

JACOBABAD, Dec 24: The Federal Minister for Privatization and Investment, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh on Friday said that the government policies had restored investors' confidence and millions of dollars are being invested in Pakistan.

He said many state enterprises are being privatized to overcome financial losses. He said that the privatization of the UBL is a welcome step and added that for the last 41 years UBL was not giving any profit to the government.

He stressed the need for more water reservoirs. He said that to eliminate poverty and joblessness, small industrial units would be established in Jacobabad. He said that the era of exploitation was over and a new era of progress and development and prosperity has been heralded.

He defended the uniform of Musharraf and said that the opposition did not have the support of the people. He said the parliament has already passed the law in support of uniform.

He said that the removal of four District Nazims is the result of bifurcation of the districts according to which these Nazims had lost the people's mandate and new boundaries were created. He said MMA's agitation after December 31 would be a futile exercise because there was no justification for it.