The United States wants Pakistan to give India passage to Afghanistan and if NATO Conference being held in Chicago decides in favour of India, the two neighbouring countries will keep on fighting for another quarter of a century, so Pakistan needs a bold leader who is fully capable of protecting the country’s interests. These views were expressed by former finance minister Dr Salman Shah while addressing a seminar jointly held by Aiwan-e-Iqbal and Hameed Nizami Memorial Society. The seminar was chaired by Markazia Majlis-e-Iqbal Chairman Mian Afzal Hayat while Hameed Nizami Memorial Society Secretary Irshad Ahmed Arif also spoke. Dr Salman Shah said, “Afghanistan is replete with minerals and India has bought its biggest mine of iron and if it succeeds in getting a passage through Pakistan, Afghanistan will become its colony, so Pakistan should find its interests and benefits in the countries around the Indian Ocean.” The former finance minister was of the view that the pace of development had slowed as a result of which unemployment had increased in the country. He added expensive electricity was adversely affecting the industrial sector. “If we are able to build Kalabagh Dam, every one will get electricity at the rate of Rs 1.5 per unit, so all the provinces must be informed of the benefits of the dam.”
