Political stability, smooth transition of power vital for Pakistan, says Ahsan

• Interior minister says attempts to derail democracy can prove detrimental for country

• Says Musharraf solely responsible for circumstances country is in today

• Says some ‘dejected politicians’ running an organised campaign to create conflict between PML-N, military

•  Describing political stability as ‘oxygen for development, prosperity,’ says efforts being made to make country economically strong, stable

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal Thursday said political stability and smooth transition of power after the next general elections were essential for turning Pakistan into a mature democracy and achieving sustainable development.

Talking to a selected group of journalists from print and electronic media here, the minister said Pakistan was heading towards smooth transition and would become a mature democratic country after next elections, adding attempts to derail democracy can prove detrimental for Pakistan.

Ahsan said it was for the first time in the country’s history that the previous democratic government completed its tenure, which had sent a positive message to the world that Pakistan was becoming a democratic state.

Similarly, he said, the government wanted that the next elections in 2018 should be held in a free, fair and transparent manner, adding election law was passed and now work was continuing for delimitation of constituencies according to the latest census.

He also highlighted the importance of smooth civil-military relations and said, harmonious civil-military ties are imperative to achieve progress and fight terrorism in a more powerful manner.

“PML-N has always shown respect to national institutions and never wanted a confrontation with them,” he said, adding rule of law was vital to run affairs of the country.

The interior minister said the incumbent government has completed more than four years, and emphasised the need to further strengthen democratic culture.

The minister, describing political stability as “oxygen for development and prosperity,” said the journey to progress would continue, and efforts were being made to make Pakistan economically strong and stable.

He said good economic policies were like seeds which only grow and germinate in a suitable environment.

He said Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf was solely responsible for the circumstances the country is in today. “Musharraf insisted to remain in power while putting the country in danger,” he said. “We need to bring all institutions of the country on the same page.”

Ahsan went on to add that some dejected politicians were running an organised campaign aimed at creating a conflict between Pakistan Muslims League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the military.

The minister lamented that a particular segment of opposition parties was in the habit of finding faults with the progress—which the government made during last four years—and spreading disappointment in the country.

“This is a real change which is being achieved through positive results,” he said, adding Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) could not bring change but has been running a campaign to create confusion in the country.

He said that PML-N won the general election of 2013 on the promise of development, and it fulfilled its commitment, ending terrorism and energy shortages to a larger extent.

The minister said that in 2013, Pakistan was considered the most dangerous country in the world due to terrorism and deteriorating law and order, but with Nawaz Sharif’s efforts, the country has become safe and secure.

“Nawaz Sharif fulfilled his promises which he made to the public in 2013 and put Pakistan on the road to peace and prosperity,” he said.

Replying to a question, he said former PM Nawaz was the most popular leader among the masses, and the party was united under his dynamic leadership.

“There was no rift in party and people had always voted for Nawaz Sharif,” he said, adding, PML-N has become a “stainless steel”, and people of Pakistan and their representatives have complete confidence in the leadership of the former prime minister.

Ahsan Iqbal said that the General Election 2018 would actually be a referendum on efforts of the government to develop Pakistan.

He said the incumbent government had initiated many different mega projects from Gilgit-Baltistan to Karachi to lead the country towards progress and development.

He said that due to the policies of Nawaz Sharif, peace has been restored in the country—including Karachi and Balochistan—adding the former premier launched first-ever mega projects in Balochistan and built a motorway from Gwadar to Karachi. “The roads built in Balochistan have shortened the distance between Gwadar and Karachi from 24 hours to only 8 hours,” he said.

“Our GDP growth is rising and electricity shortages have been brought under control. The world’s key investors were eyeing Pakistan as a potential investment market,” he maintained.

In the bracket of low and middle-income countries, the World Bank in its recent report, ranked Pakistan as the 5^th top country for its private investment in infrastructure, Ahsan continued.

The minister said 5.3 per cent GDP growth has been achieved, while 6 per cent target of GDP growth has been set for this fiscal year.

He said had the political circumstances remained stable, the government would have managed to achieve 6.5 per cent GDP growth; however, 6 per cent target would be achieved positively.

He said the incumbent government added around 10,000MW electricity to the national grid in the last four years as compared to 16,000MW which was added in the last 66 years.

The minister said unprecedented investment has been made within the power sector, adding that further 15,000MW electricity would be added to the system by 2025 to meet the growing energy needs.

He said initiation of CPEC was a watershed moment in the history of Pakistan that has elevated country’s status as potential regional economic power.

To a question, he said CPEC was a mega development project which was launched by Nawaz Sharif with investment of China to start a new phase of development in Pakistan.

He said Pakistan needs to benefit from opportunities being offered by CPEC and transform its economy to a modern industrial economy, adding that lack of proper leadership and power politics hindered Pakistan’s progress; therefore, “We must learn from our past mistakes.”