PM says high time world acknowledges Pakistan’s sacrifices in terror war

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Monday said it was time that the world took note of Pakistan’s sacrifices in the largest war against terrorism in which thousands of its troops and civilians laid down their lives to rid the country and the region of this scourge.

Talking to a delegation of students from the prestigious London Business School (LBS) at the PM Office, the PM said Pakistan fought this war from its own resources and pointed that the major challenge of terrorism had adversely impacted the economy of the country.

He, however, pointed out that the government worked hard to bring peace and now Pakistan was a vibrant market for investors. He mentioned the recent visit of Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai after almost six years and said it was a manifestation that peace had been restored.

Abbasi interacted with the students, many of whom were visiting Pakistan for the first time. Special Assistant to PM Ali Jahangir Siddiqui was also present during the interaction.

The PM said the government had established power plants and was planning to construct more than 1700 kms of six-lane motorways across Pakistan under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to improve connectivity within the country and with the region.

He said CPEC’s energy sector projects had brought substantial relief to power consumers. The PM said there had been a quantum improvement in Pakistan with the democracy taking hold and economic conditions improving.

He said Pakistan recorded 5.7% GDP growth rate and plans to increase it to 6%.

The PM said Pakistan was a peaceful country and its peaceful nuclear program was a deterrent for those who wanted to destabilise the country and for its sovereignty.

He said Pakistan had always strived for bringing peace and stability to the region through dialogue.

The PM urged the students to visit various cities of Pakistan and to see for themselves the progress it has made besides witnessing the peace and stability in the country.

Earlier, the LBS students also received a briefing from SAPM Ali Jahangir Siddiqui regarding the structure and working of the executive branch of the government.

Visit of students was under the Prime Ministers’ Connect program, where they interacted with the PM so as to enhance their understanding about working of the executive.