SBP to continue playing key role for better economy: governor

State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Acting Governor Saeed Ahmad Thursday said the central bank would keep playing its role in the growth of country’s economy.

He also urged the need for all Pakistanis to follow the teaching of national leaders and keep the national interest supreme in every decision made.

Addressing the flag-hoisting ceremony to celebrate the 68th Independence Day of Pakistan at SBP headquarters, the acting governor said live nations celebrate their independence day with great zeal and enthusiasm.

Later, the acting governor hoisted the flag amidst thunderous clap of the audience. It is pertinent to mention that as per its glorious tradition, the State Bank marked the Independence Day with traditional fervour and enthusiasm. The event also provided a chance to the children of SBP employees to exhibit their love for the motherland as they sang national songs showering their love to the country.

Terming independence as a great gift by Allah Almighty, the governor said: “This day reminds us of the supreme sacrifices our forefathers had made for creation of this country.”

“Our forefathers had accomplished the arduous task of carving out a country and now it was up to us to look after this great country.” He said it was binding upon all the Pakistanis to own the spirit behind creation of Pakistan and leave no stone unturned for its prosperity and progress.

Lauding the spirit behind holding this ceremony, Ahmad stressed for the need of holding such events in future as well to let the new generation know difficulties our forefathers confronted during freedom struggle.

Ahmad said the State Bank was backbone of the country’s economy and its policies, guidelines and prudential regulations play key role in the economy. ”Quaid-e-Azam had declared State Bank a symbol of our sovereignty on its inauguration on July 1, 1948,” he said, adding that ”Keeping State Bank independent is in country’s interest.”

Earlier, Inter Bank Security Department Director Kamran Khan in his welcome address thanked the acting governor and distinguished guests for sparing time for this ceremony to observe the Independence Day.

He said though the government had issued directives to observe the event enthusiastically this year, the State Bank always celebrated this day with fervour and zeal. He said Pakistan was a great gift of God and it was created due to matchless sacrifices of their forefathers and stressed the need of protecting it from internal and external threats.

Later, the acting governor inaugurated Independence Day exhibition. The main objective of the exhibition was to give awareness to younger generation of history and struggle after the independence. The exhibition consisted of two sections and both sections were arranged in chronological order starting from 1947 till present day.

The exhibition displayed the original newspapers’ clippings starting from 1947 to date and portrayed the same time period through historical photographs of political leaders and major events.