KARACHI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that Karachi will be made a haven of peace by the year 2018 when the ongoing targeted operation against criminals will reach its logical conclusion. The prime minister stated this on Thursday speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the 9th Expo Pakistan 2015 - the country’s largest trade fair being organised by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan at the Expo Centre, Karachi. The PM said the country had no room for organisations spreading discord in the society and committing terrorism. He said the government would not tolerate possession of illegal arms by any one and from now onwards arms would only be possessed by law-enforcement agencies. He said the government had the longstanding dream of making Pakistan peaceful and progressing as the government had been striving to achieve this desire. The PM said that Karachi had remained a peaceful city but its peace had become a victim of someone’s ill-wills. He said the city should not witness crimes and kidnappings for ransom. He said efforts should have been taken five years earlier for restoration of peace in Karachi but his government on assuming power launched the operation for improvement of law and order situation in the city. He said that it was the vision of his government to make Karachi a peaceful city as economy would flourish with persistence of peace. He said Karachi bore the prime importance due to value of the metropolis in business matters. Nawaz Sharif said that economic situation in the country had been improving due to right policies of the government. The prime minister said that he would assure international investors to invest in different sectors as Pakistan had been offering best possible facilities of foreign investment. He said his government would provide maximum assistance and protection for prospective investors coming to the country. He said attendance of large number of prospective foreign investors in Expo Pakistan had proved well that the latest trade fair had become more successful than any of such previous business fairs. He said it also proved that foreign investors had interest to invest in different business sectors of the country. He said the present government, instead of relying on aid, had been furthering the policy of increasing volume of international trade as Pakistan-made products should get access to international markets. He said that his government had attached the foremost priority to peace and economy. Nawaz said another priority of his government would be to resolve persisting energy crisis as several major steps were being taken to overcome energy shortfall. He said that holding Expo Pakistan would be highly helpful in winning a place for Pakistani products in international market as volume of exports from Pakistan would be increased to $50 billion in next three years. Nawaz said his government had devised a new policy for promotion of exports of textile products for which a target of $39 billion had been set to chase till 2019. He said implementation was in progress on South Asia Free Trade Agreement while awards of GPS-Plus (Generalised System of Preferences-Plus) status on Pakistan by European Union (EU) had become a very suitable move for Pakistani exports. He said Pakistani rice, textile, and other products had great international demand and value. Nawaz appealed to business and industrial community to make investment for increasing volume of products being manufactured in Pakistan. The prime minister broke good news for business community that process of payment of taxes by businessmen was being simplified so that business people should not face any hardship in paying their taxes. He greeted the Ministry of Commerce and Trade Development Authority for successfully organising the Expo Pakistan. Federal Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan said successful holding of Expo Pakistan would convey the message to global audiences that Pakistan was the most successful country in terms of trade with vibrant opportunities of investment. The commerce minister said the government had the intention to introduce maximum number of Pakistani products in international market as it would give way to installation of new industries and opportunities of employment.Also present on the occasion were Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, TDAP chief SM Muneer. The Expo Pakistan, which would continue till March 01, is being attended by some 1,000 delegates of over 65 countries while the expo has the active participation from 17 countries including India. In six halls of Expo Centre, a total of 525 stalls have been set up for the trade fair. Later, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif accompanied by Sindh governor and chief minister, visited the Clifton residence of late Justice (R) Rana Bhagwandas, who passed away on February 23, and condoled with the bereaved family members. The PM on the occasion praised the services of the late former acting chief justice of Supreme Court for ensuring rule of law and provision of justice to deprived Pakistanis.
