May 19, 2008	Monday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 13, 1429

ISLAMABAD, May 18: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is determined to steer the country out of its current economic problems with business-friendly and pro-growth economic policies, co-chairman of the party Asif Ali Zardari said in a statement issued here on Sunday.

“Growth has to come from all sectors of the economy - agriculture, capital market or services or manufacturing,” he said, adding that the PPP accorded importance to all these sectors so that the engine of the economy could move forward.

The PPP co-chairman said the economic growth had been hijacked by terrorism, militancy and extremism, and pledged that the new government would focus on the resolution of the problems being faced by the country.

“Economic progress will be achieved through progressive and proactive policies and in consultation with key stakeholders,” Mr Zardari said, and urged the business community to play its role in this regard.

Meanwhile, the PPP co-chairman condemned bomb blast in Mardan Sunday evening that resulted in death of 13 people, including four security personnel.

“Killing of innocent people in the name of religion was the most abominable act that must be condemned in the strongest term of words,” Mr Zardari said.

No religion preached violence and those who carried out bombings and killed innocent people in the name of religion were doing a great disservice to the religion itself, he added.

Mr Zardari condoled with the bereaved families and vowed to bring the guilty to justice.