‘Pakistan is a functioning democracy’

[Neo]

‘Pakistan is a functioning democracy’

* Prime minister says Pakistan believes sustainable peace in South Asia not possible without settlement of Kashmir dispute

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Monday that Pakistan was a functioning democracy with a parliament about to compete its full term for the first time in history, an active opposition, a free press and an independent judiciary.

Aziz was talking to a visiting European Parliament delegation, led by Neena Gill, at Prime Minister’s House.

He said that with all the essential elements in place, democracy in Pakistan was maturing. He said that 20 of percent seats in parliament had been reserved for women in an effort to empower them, while 33 percent seats in district governments had also been reserved for women.

As a result of the government’s reforms programme, Pakistan’s economy had doubled and was growing at a 6-8 percent rate every year, he said, adding that the per capita income had also doubled.

The prime minister said that the European Parliament was a flag bearer of freedom and human rights in the world, and Pakistan expected it to make a fair and meaningful contribution to the resolution of the Kashmir issue, which had impeded the normalisation of relations between Pakistan and India.

Pakistan was of the view that sustainable peace in South Asia could not be achieved without the settlement of the Kashmir dispute.

He said that Pakistan was a peaceful country that was keen to settle its disputes with India amicably. Pakistan wanted to move ahead from dispute management to dispute resolution, he added. He said that a just settlement of the Kashmir issue would enable the two countries to use their full economic potential to bring about a qualitative improvement in the lives of their people. He said that Pakistan had been disappointed by a “one-sided” report on Kashmir that was prepared by a member of the European Parliament. He said the report had ignored the sufferings of the people of Kashmir.

Aziz said that Pakistan supported the Karzai-led government because a strong Afghanistan was clearly in Pakistan’s best interests. He said there were still more than 3 million Afghan refugees here, and Pakistan was in favour of their systematic and gradual repatriation. He said Pakistan wanted the world to continue supporting reconstruction in Afghanistan. The prime minister said Pakistan was concerned about the growing drug trade in Afghanistan, especially because of its link with terrorism.

He said that both the European Union and Pakistan were active partners in the fight on terror, reconstruction of Afghanistan and the maintenance of global peace and security.

He said that Pakistan would never forget the EU’s assistance for victims of last year’s devastating earthquake.

http://www.pakistanlink.com/Headlines/Dec06/19/10.htm

 

[Bull]

As a result of the government’s reforms programme, Pakistan’s economy had doubled and was growing at a 6-8 percent rate every year, he said, adding that the per capita income had also doubled.

Well hows that possible for a country thats growing at 6-8% it will take more than 12 years to double.

The ex-citibank guy too smart with the numbers and he has taken all of you for a ride.

Pakistan's nominal gross domestic product (GDP) in 1997 was US$ 75.3 billion.
The economy grew at 5.1 per cent in 2003, 6.4 per cent in 2004 and 7.0 per cent in 2005. The US$ 72 billions economy of 2002 has swelled into a US$ 110.7ion economy in 2005.

So how has it doubled?

 

[Adux]

Maybe he is talking about the doubling of growth rate.

 

[vnomad]

Maybe he is talking about the doubling of growth rate.

I think you're mistaken mate. Pakistan's growth rate hasn't doubled. From 5% to 7% isn't double.

 

[blain2]

I think you're mistaken mate. Pakistan's growth rate hasn't doubled. From 5% to 7% isn't double.

Yes it has more than doubled....when Musharraf took over, the growth rate was at ~ 2.8 or so.

 

[vnomad]

Yes it has more than doubled....when Musharraf took over, the growth rate was at ~ 2.8 or so.

I thought he was referring to the period after the civilian government came to power.

 

[Neo]

Well hows that possible for a country thats growing at 6-8% it will take more than 12 years to double.

The ex-citibank guy too smart with the numbers and he has taken all of you for a ride.

Pakistan's nominal gross domestic product (GDP) in 1997 was US$ 75.3 billion.
The economy grew at 5.1 per cent in 2003, 6.4 per cent in 2004 and 7.0 per cent in 2005. The US$ 72 billions economy of 2002 has swelled into a US$ 110.7ion economy in 2005.

So how has it doubled?

Okay, lets do it over again!
There are several factors that lead to the conclusion that Paksitan's GDP has doubled despite average 7% growth during last six years.

First of all the CPI was adjusted making 2004 the base year, last such adjustment was 20 years ago.
As a result GDP was revalued at atlest 25-30% higher. Add inflation to that wich fluctuates between 8-10% per annum and a healthy growth of avarage 7% since 2003.

Calculations were presented to IMF and WB and approved, GDP stands around $130 billion this year.

 

[Neo]

Another factor neglected before Mushy took over was the service sector, a fast growing sector which accounts for almost half the employment in Paklistan and more than a third of generated revenue.

Many SME in Pakistan are run from homes employing family members, this came only to light when new tax collection system was introduced.

This too adds billions of rupees to the economy.

 

[blain2]

I thought he was referring to the period after the civilian government came to power.

I think the period being referred to is since Shaukat Aziz came on board as Finance Minister and then PM.

 

[Adux]

Most of the economy is made up with Aid money, Generation of money in the country internally has been in a sad state of affairs. Proposals are coming very fast but no concrete work has been done to improve the transperancy of the financial systems in place. Most companies are waiting for 2007 elections before puttin in any serious money

 

[TomCat111]

Most of the economy is made up with Aid money, Generation of money in the country internally has been in a sad state of affairs.

Yet still you wont find Pakistanis dying from starvation or sleeping on sidewalks; unlike, hundreds of thousands in Indian metropolises. Guess things aren’t that bad in Pakistan as gloating Indians imagine.

 

[Adux]

Yet still you wont find Pakistanis dying from starvation or sleeping on sidewalks; unlike, hundreds of thousands in Indian metropolises. Guess things aren’t that bad in Pakistan as gloating Indians imagine.

I am sorry for this webby and Neo

What the **** is your problem dude, I am not in the business of putting dowm pakistan or India. Where did i ever gloat about who great India is with respect to Pakistan

Isnt it true, most money in the reserves , is the direct transference of money from Fort Knox to Pakistani Reserve accounts in the US. Why dont u get off your high horse...
India got a freaking huge amount of poverty, Things are improving fast but we dont have the magic pencil which shaukat aziz has which change all the statistics in the matter of minutes.

Good luck

 

[TomCat111]

I am sorry for this webby and Neo

What the **** is your problem dude

Learn some manners first and then I may enlighten you………

 

[Adux]

Clearly you dont deserve any, troll

 

[TomCat111]

Clearly you dont deserve any, troll

It takes one to call one......