National Assembly was informed Wednesday that the government is actively working to encourage foreign investors to view Pakistan as a long-term investment destination.
Parliamentary Secretary for Finance Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan told the House during question hour that with relatively young population and a consumption-driven economy, Pakistan offers foreign investors a ready market.
He said the government had announced various incentives to foreign investors including no restrictions on withdrawal of investment or repatriation of profits, duty-free import of textile machinery, and a lower duty rate for import of machinery related to food sector.
The parliamentary secretary said that better law and order was a prerequisite for foreign investment, which has reasonably been improved in the country. He said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would be a game changer in the region and attract other foreign investors to Pakistan. He said uninterrupted power supply was being ensured to industrial sector for economic growth.
In response to a question, Minister of State for Interior Muhammad Balighur Rehman told the House that the government has initiated a process to improve criminal justice system. He said all stakeholders, including the four provinces, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, have agreed on terms of reference regarding revamping of criminal justice system under the point 20 of National Action Plan (NAP). He said the final shape of the finding would be completed by the end of this year.
To another question, Minister of State for Interior Muhammad Balighur Rehman informed the House that passport offices in remaining eight districts of Balochistan would be established by February next year. He said these districts include Awaran, Dera Bugti, Lasbela, Kohlu, Naseerabad, Sherani, Washuk and Jaffarabad, and added that the offices are being established to facilitate the people of Balochistan so that they can acquire or renew their passports with ease.
Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Development Saqlain Bukhari told the House that the CPEC is not meant for any particular district or province instead it is a project for the entire country.