December 06, 2007	Thursday	Ziqa'ad 25, 1428

FAISALABAD, Dec 5: Acknowledging the role of textile exporters in strengthening the economy, caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro has pledged to pull the industry out of crisis.

Speaking at the export trophy award ceremony, organised by the Pakistan Textile Exporters Association on Wednesday, he lauded the efforts of the exporters towards gearing up the national economy.

“Every country needs contemporary education, low cost of production and new markets for exports which could fetch the nation foreign exchange,” he said, adding that the government had been working to improve the lot of all these sectors and help industrialists.

Saying that the government was cognizant of the challenges ahead for the industry, he promised that his government would resolve the issues despite having short time at disposal. He stressed that the exporters, too, should come up with ideas to overcome obstacles to progress.

He also promised setting up of a women’s university and a hospital in the district -– initiatives which had been envisaged by former prime minister Shaukat Aziz. “I would honour the commitment my predecessors had made for the welfare of the residents,” Soomro said.

At the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the University of Engineering and Technology’s Faisalabad campus earlier, he said the government was spending generously on the education-sector reforms. “Investment on education reflects development of any country and the focus of the government is to establish more institutions in the country.”

He also distributed cheques of Baitul Maal among the deserving.