JEDDAH, 21 January 2003 — Federal Minister for Industries and Production Liaquat Ali Jatoi said here on Sunday the newly elected government will do everything to improve the law and order situation in Sindh.
He warned the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, an ethnic party that dominates urban Sindh, and the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, that the government will establish the writ of law at all costs. He said the new government will not go for political expediency while dealing with the law and order problem. Improving law and order is a prerequisite for attracting foreign investment, he said.
The minister, who was here to attend the Jeddah Economic Forum, was the guest of honor at a function organized by the Pakistan Journalist Forum at a local hotel.
Jatoi said the government has embarked on a multipronged plan to provide relief to the people. The plan includes expansion of the Pakistan Steel Mills, privatization of sick industrial units and setting up of export processing zones. Expansion of the steel mills will generate jobs, he added. The minister said Pakistan Steel Mills has posted profit for the first time in many years.
Jatoi said the government plans to encourage establishment of small and medium-scale industries instead of big ones.
Speaking about the steps taken to attract foreign investment, the minister said special desks will be set up at international airports to facilitate foreign investment. He said the required infrastructure and utilities will be provided to an investor within three days.
Jatoi said Pakistan’s strategic location could be a catalyst for the flow of foreign investment if we can ensure other facilities.
He said the government has embarked on an ambitious privatization program and a number of state-owned organizations will be privatized.
Jatoi said that the economic policies of President Pervez Musharraf have started yielding results. Foreign exchange reserves have soared to $10 billion, rupee has stabilized, foreign investment is on the rise, inflation has decreased and deficit has narrowed.
To a question, the minister agreed with the community members that certain measures need to be taken for economic development. He said transparency in policies and better management at all levels are key to economic development.
Earlier, a 12-member delegation of Pakistani IT professionals led by Ameer Ali had a meeting with Jatoi. These IT professionals expressed their willingness to invest in Pakistan.
