National News

ISLAMABAD, (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain said
the positive economic indicators of the country had put
Pakistan on path of progress and prosperity and it would soon
become an important country of the region, with the completion
of China Pakistan Economic Corridor.
He was addressing the fourth Achievement Award Ceremony
of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and
Industry (FPCCI) here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
The President said the government was working on major
infrastructure development and energy projects under the CPEC,
and the national economy was improving at a rapid pace.
He said all the economic indicators in the country had
improved over the past three years and the fact has been
acknowledged by several international organisations.
President Mamnoon Hussain said the business community
and trading bodies were playing a key role in strengthening of
the national economy owing to the great turnaround shown by
the prudent policies of the government.
The President urged the industrialists and the exporters
to look for new markets, besides expanding into the
conventional markets of Africa, Central Asia, Far East and
Middle East. He specifically mentioned the Central Asian
markets and said there was lots of potential for Pakistani
business to grow.
The President asked the representatives of the
exporters, industrialists and business community to seek
remedial measures from the government departments, which would
facilitate them.
He also urged them to play their part in promoting tax
culture in the country and asked them to pay regular taxes to
generate more revenue and help strengthen country’s health,
education and social sectors.
President Mamnoon Hussain said corruption has damaged
the country in the past, however said that things have changed
considerably and the situation was improving.
The President said if the people of Pakistan work with
honesty, sincerity and commitment the situation in the country
would improve and there would be remarkable development and accelerated prosperity.
Speaking about Pakistan’s ties with its neighbours, the
President said that Pakistan desires good relations with all,
including India and the lingering dispute of Kashmir, he added, can
never be put on the back-burner. He said that Pakistan always
raised the issue of Kashmir, whenever it entered into talks
with India.
The President said a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was
in the best interest of Pakistan and hoped that the talks
between the Afghan government and the Taliban would proceed
positively in the months ahead.
President FPCCI Abdul Rauf Alam thanked the President
for handing over the achievement awards for the third time in
a row and appreciated his commitment towards the business
community of the country.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Trade Development
Authority of Pakistan S.M. Munir lauded the measures taken by
the government to bring about economic stability in the
country and particularly mentioned the steps taken to ensure
law and order situation in the country.
The President handed over awards, certificates and
shields amongst 73 participants for their outstanding
performance in boosting trade and strengthening the national
economy. President Mamnoon Hussain was also presented a
memento.
The event was attended by Governor Punjab Rafiq Rajwana,
federal ministers, parliamentarians, ambassadors and members
of the business community.