–Says ‘socialist mindset in 1970s became a deterrent to wealth creation’
–Assures Turkish businessmen of PTI govt’s efforts for making Pakistan an investor-friendly country
–Meets President Erdogan, reiterates Pakistan’s strong bilateral ties with Turkey
ANKARA: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that Pakistan in the 1970s “went wrong because we had a socialist mindset which became a deterrent to wealth creation”.
“Pakistan was one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia in the 1960s. However, we went wrong in the 1970s, because of our socialist mindset [during that time] which actually became a deterrent and [hindered] profit-making. Nationalisation took place. Some of our [big] industries were nationalised. We went backwards,” he lamented while addressing a delegation of the Turkey-Pakistan Business Council of the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey.
PM Imran continued that though the socialist regime stepped down in the subsequent decades, the mindset prevailed among the bureaucracy.
He added that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, however, supports investments and is taking measures to create money making opportunities.
He assured the Turkish business leaders of an investors-friendly environment in Pakistan under the PTI government.
“We, as a government, are now making every effort to remove impediments in the way of investments,” he said, adding that a separate cell has been established at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat to monitor the process.
“We have already discussed the issues being faced by Turkish investors in Pakistan,” he said, adding that the current government’s top priority was the export sector.
The prime minister referred to the Chinese model as his inspiration for governance. “They [China] have taken 700 million people out of poverty in the last 30 years. Our main concern is also to take people out of poverty and create wealth in the country.”
Prime Minister Imran Khan addresses Business Community in Ankara Turkey (04.01.19) #PMIKVisitsTurkey pic.twitter.com/82KjVBAFpB
— PTI (@PTIofficial) January 4, 2019
IMRAN MEETS ERDOGAN:
Moreover, PM Imran also met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, during his two-day official visit to the country.
The prime minister and Turkish president discussed various issues including bilateral relations, national and international matters.
Prime Minister Imran Khan and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan together offered Friday prayer in Ankara.
According to a joint statement issued by Pakistan and Turkey, the two leaders exchanged views on the entire spectrum of bilateral “heart-to-heart” relationship as well as on issues of regional and international importance. They re-affirmed that the unparalleled fraternal relations between the peoples and the governments of the two countries date back to centuries and are embedded in a common cultural and religious heritage, as well as a shared vision for the future, based on complete mutual understanding and trust.
They noted with great satisfaction that the relationship between the two brotherly countries has over the years transformed into a strong strategic partnership in all areas of mutual interest that has withstood the tests of time.
PM Imran Khan and President Erdogan expressed their commitment to further enhance their bilateral relations in every field to the benefit of their peoples and reiterated the importance of the Turkey-Pakistan High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council mechanism that also includes several working groups in further strengthening bilateral relations.
Noting their ever-expanding defence industry cooperation, they expressed resolve to further strengthening the existing economic, trade and commercial relations between the two countries and agreed to initiate mechanisms for collaboration in health and agriculture sectors.
The two leaders decided to further enhance people-to-people contacts through increased exchanges and cooperation in education, culture, tourism and youth fields and underlined their abiding commitment to fight the menace of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
They also reiterated their resolve to fight against Fethullah Gulen’s “terrorist organisation”.
Khan and Erdogan expressed satisfaction at the ongoing cooperation between the two countries at the multilateral forums including the United Nations, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Economic Cooperation Organisation, Developing 8 Countries, and other relevant forums.
They reaffirmed their commitment to achieve and sustain peace, security and stability in their respective regions as well as internationally.
The meeting underscored the need for resolution of the issue of Jammu and Kashmir through a sustained dialogue process and in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
It recognised the Turkish support for Pakistan’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group (NSG) based on non-discriminatory criteria and reaffirmed that Pakistan’s adherence to the NSG Guidelines and participation in the NSG would strengthen the global non-proliferation objectives.
Further, the two leaders acknowledged that sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan could be achieved through reconciliation of all segments of the Afghan society with the support of regional states and the international community.
They reiterated their full and resolute support to the efforts for the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue on the basis of the political equality of the two communities on the island, with a view to building peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Khan and Erdogan emphasised the centrality of the cause of Palestine, rejected any attempt to alter the legal status and historical character of Al Quds, and called on the international community to increase their support to the Palestinian people in realising their quest for the establishment of an independent, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine on the basis of the borders of 1967 with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
They further agreed to increase collaboration to uphold the true values of Islam at the international forums as well as to work closely against any attempts to malign, distort or vilify the historical image of Islam, its revered personalities, and its fundamental beliefs, and expressed their strong resolve to further increase the frequency of bilateral contacts at the highest level.
The two figures reiterated their determination to continue taking steps in all areas of mutual interest for mutual peace and prosperity, especially by transforming the historic Turkey-Pakistan relationship into an increasingly stronger trade, investment and economic relationship for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries.
The meeting decided to convene the sixth session of the Turkey-Pakistan High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Pakistan at mutually convenient dates for further discussion on these areas.
‘TURKISH INVESTMENT TO BE PROTECTED’:
Earlier on, a delegation led by the Turkish Health Minister Dr Fahrettin Koca, that included health sector entrepreneurs, called on Prime Minister Imran Khan where prospects of collaboration were discussed. The prime minister also discussed the prospects of bilateral collaboration in food processing, dairy sector and food chain management a delegation of Turkish investors in the agri-based industry.
The premier, while addressing the business community in Ankara on Friday, assured that their investments will be fully protected in Pakistan. He said the process has been started to remove impediments in the way of investment, adding that the PTI government has set up an office at the PM’s Secretariat to make things easier for the investors.
PM Imran Khan pointed out that Pakistan’s exports remained stagnant due to flawed policies. He said the present government will actively promote exports and fully facilitate the investors in order to create job opportunities for the youth. He assured the Turkish businessmen that their concerns will be addressed after mutual consultations.
The premier said his government’s main concern is to take people out of poverty which will be done by promoting wealth creation. He said we also want to eradicate corruption which will help flourish investment, especially in the small and medium enterprises.
ANITKABIR VISIT:
Prime Minister Imran Khan visited the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, revolutionary founder of the Republic of Turkey, in Ankara on Friday. He laid a floral wreath at the grave and noted his remarks in the Golden Book.
In his remarks at the Anitkabir, the prime minister wrote that it was an honour for him to pay homage to one of the greatest statesmen and visionary leader of the 20th century.
He said Mustafa Kemal was an epitome of courage, strength, resilience, forbearance and wisdom.
Imran Khan said Mustafa Kemal led the Turkish nation at one of the most challenging times and changed the course of Turkey, becoming an inspiration for all those resisting the tide of colonialism across the world.
He said Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, described Mustafa Kemal Ataturk as one of the greatest men that ever lived.
He conveyed his deepest admiration and respect for Mustafa Kemal on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said Mustafa Kemal’s glorious struggle and leadership for the independence and unity of the Turkish nation will forever remain a golden chapter in the annals of history.
The PM’s trip to Turkey is expected to bring some relief to the ongoing economic crunch in Pakistan as some memoranda of understanding on trade and investment are likely to be inked between the two sides.
The prime minister is accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umar, Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtyar, Adviser to the PM on Commerce, Textile, Industry and Production Razak Dawood and Special Assistant to the PM on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari.
Earlier on Thursday, the prime minister and his delegation had reached Ankara where he was received by Turkish Minister for Trade Ruhsar Pekjan at the airport upon arrival. PM Khan was warmly received by Konya Governor Cüneyit (Junaid) Orhan Toprak, Deputy Mayor Mithat Buyukalim, Pakistan’s Ambassador Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi, garrison commander and senior Turkish officials at the Konya airport.
In his brief meeting with the Konya governor, the prime minister said that Pakistan takes pride in its exemplary brotherly relations with Turkey. He said that efforts are being made to take this relationship to newer heights.
The PM also paid homage to the great Sufi saint of the Muslim world Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi as he visited his mausoleum along with his delegation.
The prime minister said that the people of Pakistan have a great love for the people of Konya and hold Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi in great reverence. He said that the spiritual message of Maulana Rumi has served to unite humanity from all religions and all walks of life.
He also visited the symbolic grave of Allama Muhammad Iqbal located in Maulana Rumi’s graveyard. The prime minister said that the national poet of Pakistan, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, was the spiritual disciple of Maulana Rumi. Iqbal’s philosophy has been inspired by Rumi’s message of love and self-individuation, he had added.
