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Speech of Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani
Prime Minister of Pakistan
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Assalam-O-Alakium
It is my privilege to address the “2nd Aman Ki Asha” Economic Conference today. At the outset, allow me to extend a very warm welcome to friends from India and Pakistan. I am told that this is the high profile gathering of the industrialists, entrepreneurs and business professionals of both countries. This shows the commitment of the private sector to develop economic relations between our two countries. It is a matter of satisfaction that the business communities of two countries are exploring vistas of economic cooperation.
I hope that Lahore, the cultural capital of Pakistan, has welcomed our friends from India with its traditional warmth and hospitality. I wish all of you a pleasant and comfortable stay in provincial capital of Punjab.
This is indeed an impressive gathering of business tycoons from both India and Pakistan. You are among those bright minds who help create wealth, generate economic activity which is so vital for the progress and prosperity of any country. Poverty, disease, and ignorance should not be the fate of the peoples of two countries anymore.
Your presence here manifests not only the current level of trade relations between the two countries, but more importantly, the huge potential it offers for the bright future. This is a region, where more than one-fifth of the world population resides, and which is fast becoming one of the key drivers of the global economy.
Dear delegates,
Your presence here also underlines the importance which the business community attaches to peace and normalization of relations between our two countries towards a peaceful and prosperous future.
The engine of economic growth is not fueled by regional tensions and conflicts. It needs peace and enabling environment. There is no denying the fact that social wellbeing of our people depends on normalization of relations between both countries on sustainable basis.
I take this opportunity to commend the efforts of ‘Aman ki Asha’, the media-led joint peace movement of the Jang Group of Pakistan and the Times of India, which pushed forward the peace agenda and that of economic cooperation at a time when tensions ran high between our two countries.
I also express deep appreciation for the role of the Confederation of Indian Industries and the Pakistan Business Council which joined hands with the media houses to bring together the top businessmen from both sides of the border.
Ladies and Gentlemen
You may recall that the pioneers of the ‘Aman ki Asha’ peace campaign called on me in December 2009. I extended unwavering support to the cause of peace and people-to-people contact on behalf of people and the government. Notwithstanding the ups and downs in our bilateral relations, our support to the cause of peace and normalization of relations with India has remained steadfast. This is because trade between our countries is to our best advantage. Let me add here that Pakistan’s closest friend and strategic partner, China, is also in favour of our normalization of relations with India.
I am happy that both the Jang Group and the Times of India have collaborated with the business communities of both countries to promote the cause of peace. I believe that we can work together to overcome hurdles for the mutual benefit of our people.
Ladies and Gentlemen
The world is marching on. It is time for us to shed the baggage of the past and grab the opportunity at hand. We must act with urgency to build relations of mutual trust and respect -- relations that allow us to tap the massive economic and creative potential of the peoples of the two countries. Our people have suffered because of the tense relations of the past. Our peoples remain trapped in the shackles of poverty and illiteracy. They are deprived of clean drinking water. They are unable to get two square meals a day. They are citizens of the two democracies and deserve better. I can say with confidence that both my government and the government of Dr Manmohan Singh are deeply committed to the process of normalization. .
We have lost precious time and should not allow its wastage anymore. I feel optimistic when I see that over the last 12 months, the two countries have moved fast not just to normalize relations but remove those irritants which hamper trade and economic relations.
It was in April 2011 when the two countries announced their intention to normalize bilateral trade relations. And by April 2012, we have made huge strides in this direction. We have decided to scrap the positive list of imports from India and replace it by a negative list. We have recently also witnessed the opening up of the Wagah-Attari Trade Gate, which will go a long way in boosting the volume of trade between the two countries.
Distinguished audience
President Asif Ali Zardari’s recent visit to India and his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as well as series of meetings that I held with my Indian counterpart on different occasions – have all been aimed at pushing the peace process forward and ensuring that it gathers an unstoppable momentum. As the democratic government enters the fifth year of term, improved relations with India is one of our cherished goals to which we continue to make considerable progress.
India has made a welcome announcement of allowing foreign direct investment from Pakistan. We now await some practical steps for the removal of non-tariff barriers, which hamper Pakistanis exports to the Indian market.
I must caution that recent successes do not mean that we should become complacent. We face many challenges and threats from forces inimical to peace. We are passing through turbulent times in our history in which non-state actors are determined to harm the peace process. Such forces are present on both sides of the border and we have to remain vigilant that they are not able to derail our hard earned gains.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Despite these challenges, the Peoples’ government has also worked hard to revive the country’s economy affected by the global financial crisis as well as natural disasters. We have pushed the reform agenda and stayed committed to the policies of economic liberalization, deregulation and privatization.
We encouraged the private sector to play a greater role in the country’s economy and are trying to create conducive atmosphere which attracts both the foreign and domestic investors to Pakistan.
During the tenure of the present government, Pakistan has achieved many economic milestones including record exports of 25 billion dollars in the last financial year. But we are aware of the fact hat without enhancing regional trade, the country cannot realize its full potential. Therefore, improved relations with India are important for us as it offers a billion plus market to the Pakistani exporters.
There are many areas and sectors with huge trade potential as well as opportunities for collaboration– from information technology to engineering, education and health. A liberal trade regime ensures flow of cheaper imports for both countries due to their geographical proximity and resultant lower freight costs. Our textiles, I am told, have a huge market across the border. Similarly, India can get buyers for its chemicals, pharmaceutical items and engineering goods, cements among many others.
Dear delegates
On behalf of the people and government of Pakistan, let me make it clear that we want all our core issues settled through dialogue on equitable basis. We want to start a new era of economic collaboration with India as well as enhanced people-to-people contacts so that we leave behind a legacy of peace and prosperity for our future generations.
To conclude, I would like to say that the people in this distinguished gathering are the best ambassadors of peace for both countries. Each one of you has an important role to play in furthering this relationship and building the foundations of a durable peace. I see you as champions of peace and proponents of prosperity. The time for the prophets of doom and gloom is now over. We must learn from history. We must pay heed to the voices and aspirations of our people. We must all work for their welfare and economic empowerment.
I wish you very happy stay in Lahore. I hope your deliberations in the two-day conference will open up the gates of prosperous future for poverty-stricken people of Pakistan and India.
I thank you all!
Pakistan Zindabad
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