KARACHI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said there is no place for troublemakers and terrorists in the country and his government is committed to making Pakistan a peaceful, prosperous and preferred destination for business.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of Expo Pakistan, the country’s biggest trade fair showcasing the largest collection of export merchandise and services, here on Thursday, he said Karachi would be turned into a cradle of peace by 2018.

“Pakistan is a land of business opportunities. We offer foreign buyers a very competitive sourcing option. The captains of our industry have carved out their niche in the world market due to their production efficiencies and business ethics.”

The prime minister said that because of consistent efforts, the government had succeeded in increasing the country’s exports to over $25 billion and it would be doubled over the next three years. He said the government had recently approved a textile policy aimed at doubling exports of textiles from $13bn to $26bn by 2019.

He said Asia was gradually emerging as a new economic hub and Pakistan was located in the region. The country was currently not part of this highly competitive economic growth, but “we are determined to make Pakistan a major player in this region”.

He said that bedsheets, quilt covers, T-shirts and jeans produced in Pakistan were sold at international leading chain stores. The country has modern rice milling and processing industry and its basmati rice has made a mark in the world market. All these advantages offered “unlimited business opportunities” — a theme aptly chosen as the slogan of Expo Pakistan.

He said that as an incentive to adding profitability to business ventures, Pakistan had effectively negotiated bilateral and multilateral trading arrangements with many regions and countries in the world and enabled its products to enter the foreign markets at low prices.

He said bilateral free trade agreements with China, Sri Lanka and Malaysia already existed. “We have also entered into preferential trading arrangements with Iran, Mauritius and Indonesia and similar arrangements with D-8 countries have been finalised. I would specially mention here the opportunity of zero rated market access to our biggest export market of the European Union under the GSP-Plus scheme,” the prime minister told local and foreign investors.

He said his government was committed to devising a consistent policy direction for its trade and industry. “We have announced a three-year strategic trade policy framework providing a long-term policy framework for consistency and predictability for businesses and to be able to plan and strategise expansion and growth.”

ENERGY CRISIS: Mr Sharif said the energy crisis had adversely affected the national industry’s capacity to meet commitments with foreign buyers. “Our government has made the resolution of this problem its first priority and we have considerably improved the energy supply situation,” he claimed.

“We are continuously working on further improving the situation and hope to overcome the problem in not-so-distant future. This must provide an added comfort level to our foreign collaborators while dealing with Pakistani suppliers.”

He said the country would overcome its energy crisis by the end of 2017.

KARACHI OPERATION: The prime minister said the ongoing operation in Karachi would not be left half way and would continue till its logical end. He said the government was committed to eradicating militancy and would take concrete steps to ensure peace in the country.

“A decisive moment has come to restore peace in Karachi and make the city free from the hold of militants. We are determined that the power of gun will rest with the government, and not with militants,” he said.

Mr Sharif vowed that Karachi would soon be rid of major crimes, including kidnappings for ransom.

The prime minister said the decision to launch the military operation in North Waziristan should have been taken much earlier.

MASROOR BASE VISIT: Addressing the Colour Award and Re-equipment ceremony of Karakoram Eagle AWACS Aircraft at the PAF Masroor Base, the prime minister said Pakistan wanted peace in the region and believed in resolving issues hindering regional development and prosperity through peaceful means.

He said the international community had praised Pakistan’s amicable and peaceful intentions and was willing to support its stance. He said the National Action Plan was being implemented across the country to root out terrorism.

Referring to PAF’s professional capability, he said it had proved its mettle even in the most challenging times and came up to the expectations of the nation.

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt said the event was not only a significant moment for the squadron and the PAF, but a moment of pride for all Pakistanis.

He said re-equipping the squadron with a state-of-the-art aircraft would enable PAF to counter all threats against Pakistan’s aerial frontiers and add a new dimension to national security.

Earlier, the prime minister reviewed Chinese-built Karakoram Eagle AWACS Aircraft and congratulated the PAF and the nation.

JUSTICE BHAGWANDAS: The prime minister visited the residence of late Rana Bhagwandas, a former judge of the Supreme Court, and extended condolences to the bereaved family. “The late judge was a man of honour, conviction and an eminent judge of impeccable character,” he said.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2015

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