DEAD SEA (Jordan), May 19: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz claimed here on Saturday that internationally recognised comprehensive reforms undertaken in Pakistan during the past seven years had repositioned and revitalised the country which was now included among the eleven countries on the verge of the economic take-off.

Addressing a session of the World Economic Forum on “Success stories in development”, he said political reforms in Pakistan had ensured good governance through transparency and accountability.

He said there had been devolution of power at grass-roots level, with elected representatives running the affairs at the district, provincial and national levels, with representation for women and minorities.

“Pakistan today has an active parliament, an independent judiciary and free media,” he said.

The prime minister that said the economic reforms were based on the principles of deregulation, liberalisation and privatisation and they had ensured sustained annual growth at an average of seven per cent over the past four years.

He said the government had also focused on improvement of the health delivery system, promotion of literacy and improvement of educational standards, empowerment of women and protection of minorities.

Mr Aziz said that Pakistan had now embarked upon second-generation reforms including enhancement of infrastructure, development of human capital and building a knowledge-based economy.

He said the lessons of Pakistan's experience of implementing reforms could be useful for other countries facing similar challenges.

“We also believe that it is not the business of the government to be in business; the government should be a facilitator and a regulator while the private sector should be allowed to drive growth.”—APP