Political stability is imperative for development of the country and the achievements in this regard during the last few years are the dividends of the continuation of democracy.
This was stated by Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb while addressing the inaugural ceremony of Rawal Expo International organized by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry here Thursday.
The minister prayed for the continuation and strengthening of democracy. She said that the continuation of the democratic system was absolutely necessary for development of the country and prosperity of the people.
She said that in 2013 people were talking about economic bankruptcy of the country but today Pakistan was being acknowledged as one of the emerging economies. The change that occurred in the economic profile of the country was before the eyes of everybody.
The minister said that the PML (N) government had taken concrete measures to tide over the energy crisis and the electricity produced during the last four years was unprecedented in the history of Pakistan. She observed that the power projects initiated by the government would add 11000 MW electricity to the system. The minister said that load-shedding for the industrial sector had ended in December 2014 and presently the country was producing more electricity than the current demand for it.
Marriyum said that due to checking terrorism in its tracks and tiding over the energy crisis, foreign investors were showing keen interest in the expo and the participation of the foreign industrial concerns in it was a ranting testimony of the fact that due to the restoration of peace in the country the confidence of the foreign investors had been revived.
She said that people from all walks of life would have to work for reinforcing the image of peaceful Pakistan. The minister said that the country was now fighting the war of perception which had to be fought with impregnable unity.
Marriyum asserted that the people of Pakistan would vote on the basis of performance in the 2018 elections and expose the reality of those who had been raising hollow slogans.
The minister said that there had been 88% reduction in the incidents of terrorism in the country which was a sequel to the steps taken in consonance with the vision of the former prime minister and the unmatched sacrifices offered by the armed forces, law enforcing agencies and police. Marriyum said that Pakistan had sacrificed 70,000 lives in the war against terrorism and the present situation was far better than 2013.
She said that all the state institutions and segments of society contributed in restoring peace in the country. The peace in the country boosts national trade and industry, she added.
She said that Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was carrying forward the vision of the former prime minister ensuring continuity of the development projects. Marriyum said that record foreign investment had been made in Pakistan due to CPEC adding that One Belt One Road was not only a mega project but also a corridor to prosperity and development of Pakistan for which the entire nation was grateful to its great friend China.
She said that the PML (N) government revived the development projects which were pending for the last 55 years including the Lowari Tunnel venture. Marriyum said that women had played a very significant role in the national development and promotion of the industry.

Source: APP