No nation can achieve economic success without political stability;Gilani
JEDDAH, Aug 8 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday said no nation can achieve economic prosperity, without political stability and the government was undertaking a number of measures to transfer the dividends of development to the nation.He was addressing the Pakistan Investors Forum here at an Iftar dinner hosted in his honour. The forum that was launched around five years back today has over 600 members and was undertaking several construction activities in Saudi Arabia.Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan was facing numerous challenges at various fronts. He said these included the country’s war against militancy and terrorism, the impact of the global recession, high international prices of petroleum products, and the massive damages of up to US 10 billion dollars caused by the floods last year.
However, he said the national economy was resilient and was braving these challenges by pursuing a vigorous reform agenda.
 The Prime Minister said through strong determination and commitment, the results were evident and said that the amount of foreign remittances have risen to US $ 12 billion, the country’s exports to US $ 26 billion, foreign exchange reserves to US $ 18.3 billion and the stock markets, despite the global and US recession were doing pretty well.
 Gilani attributed all these changes to the politics of reconciliation and consistency that his government was pursuing.
 He said the government restored the Constitution of 1973 to its true form and undid an historic wrong. He said the small provinces always wanted more autonomy and were now more vigorously pursuing their development programs, after the 18th Amendment and the 7th NFC award.
 He assured the Pakistani expatriates that the country was in safe hands and its nuclear program was safe and secure and there was no need to worry. He said the civil society was vibrant, judiciary was independent and the media free.
Gilani said the 1.5 million Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia were playing a key role in building the national economy and termed them an asset for the nation.
 The Prime Minister who is in the Saudi Kingdom on a two-day official visit interacted with the investors and businessmen and sought their suggestions to enhance trade ties between the two countries.
 Ambassador Mohammad Naeem Khan said the Pakistani community was working to build bridges between the two countries and noted that they have remitted a huge amount of US $ two billion to Pakistan and were helping Pakistan’s economy in an indirect manner.
 He said an agreement was being given final shape that would enhance investment and employment opportunities between the two countries. He assured the government’s full support to the Pakistani investors.
 Chaudhry Mohammad Yousaf, President of the forum assured that the Pakistani community abroad was all geared to help the nation in its time of difficulty. He said there were numerous opportunities to work in Saudi Arabia, with lots of scope for more Pakistani companies.
 The dinner was be attended by Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim and Senior Minister of Industries and Defence Production Chaudhry Pervaiz Ilahi besides a large number of Pakistani and Saudi investors and businessmen.