Regional peace must for economic prosperity: Ahsan Iqbal

LAHORE, Dec 3 (APP): Federal Minister for Planning and National Reforms Prof. 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 Malik Muhammad Rafiq Rajwana presided over the convocation while Vice Chairman UMT 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 Muhammad Nawaz Sharif believed in economic agenda to put the whole region towards prosperity and development and this goal
could only be achieved through trust and peace between the
countries, including India and Afghanistan, he added.
To a question, Ahsan Iqbal said some extremist
elements in India wanted tension between two countries just to
achieve their personal motives, however, he added, 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 the PTI Chairman Imran Khan
stance on election rigging, he said his allegations became
false and baseless as the results of all bye 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, Prof Ahsan said that Planning
Department was screening schemes of various departments
due to which some colleagues started criticism that was not a
worriable thing. 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 country. He said
the current government under the far sighted vision of Prime
Minister Muhammad 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 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 that US
government started various projects in Pakistan for the
promotion of education from primary to higher level.He said
the education was one of the major topic during the recent
meeting between President Obama and Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz
Sharif. He added that 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
1350 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.