Federal Minister for Planning and National Reforms Ahsan Iqbal Thursday said that Pakistan wanted an atmosphere of peace and stability in the region for the sake of economic prosperity and development.
He was talking to the media here after attending the 11th convocation of the University of Management and Technology (UMT) in Johar Town as chief guest.
Punjab Governor Rafiq Rajwana presided over the convocation while UMT Vice chairman, board of governors, former chairman senate and former acting president Muhammad Mian Soomro, US Consulate General in Lahore Zarchary Harkenrider, UMT Rector Dr Hassan Sohaib Murad, DG Dr Abid Hussain Khan Sherwani and vice chancellors of public sector universities also were present on the occasion.
The minister said the current democratic government in Pakistan under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif believed in economic agenda to put the whole region towards prosperity and development. This goal could only be achieved through trust and peace between the countries, including India and Afghanistan, he added.
To a question, Iqbal said some extremist elements in India wanted tension between the two countries just to achieve their personal motives. However, he added that Pakistani leadership expressed mature response for the sake of peace and stability between the neighbours. He said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor would be a game changer in the whole region and Pakistan wanted to initiate it by promoting stability and peace in region.
Replying a question about PTI Chairman Imran Khan stance on election rigging, he said his allegations became false and baseless as the results of all by-elections, cantonment boards and local bodies verified the PML-N overwhelming majority as was in election 2013. He said the PML-N government was fully committed to provide maximum relief to the common man and recent implementation of taxes on imported items would not affect the middle class.
To another question, he said the Planning Department was screening schemes of various departments due to which some colleagues started criticism. He said the Planning and National Reforms Ministry saved more than Rs 500 billion due to its check and balance system in government projects which was a good example in the country’s history.
Earlier, addressing the convocation, Ahsan Iqbal advised the students to concentrate on their higher studies with an aim to play due role in the development of the country. He said the current government under the vision of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif launched a number of mega projects, including China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), energy production, infrastructure development and education in the form of Vision 2025 that will bring prosperity and Pakistan would be among 25 big economies of the world.
He said international media had been discussing this country as the most dangerous country in world in 2008 but now it is portraying Pakistan as the next Columbia emerging in the world which reflects the achievements of the current government, he added.
US Consul General in Lahore Zarchary Harkenride congratulated the students on getting degrees. He said the US government started various projects in Pakistan for the promotion of education from primary to higher level. He said the education is one of the major topics during the recent meeting between President Obama and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He added the US government, USAID, US Education Foundation and other US institutions will continue support for the quality education in Pakistan.
UMT Rector Dr Hassan Sohaib Murad told the audience that 1,350 students from Bachelor level to PhD got degrees in the 11th convocation. He said that the university would be made a centre of excellence in quality education.