Mr Carlos Morales, the Spanish ambassador, has correctly analyzed the economic situation of Pakistan and its tarnished image in the comity of nations. He says that Pakistan has all the positive indicators, including young population, big consumers market of 190 million people and vast natural resources, but foreign investors are shy of investing in this country due to its biased and wrong perception in the outside world. If the nation wants to realize its full economic potentials, it has to make a soft image of the country. The ambassador said that 500 Spanish companies are doing business in UAE and many of which are ready to enter Iranian and Indian markets. However, with Pakistan’s perspective, responsibility lies on the shoulders of the business community to reach out the world and show potential of their products. He said that $46 billion Chinese investment in Pakistan on economic corridor is a positive development and now the foreign investors are also looking toward Pakistan for business opportunities.
Spain is one of the leading trade partners of Pakistan in the European Union and its interest in Pakistan is a good sign for bilateral trade and economic relations. There is a need to enhance interaction between the business communities of the two countries and both can enhance cooperation in various fields of economy, including agricultural, industrial and financial sectors. According to statistics, bilateral trade between Pakistan and Spain improved by 43 percent during 2014 and 25 percent during 2015 after the European Union granted GSP Plus status to Pakistan. The two-way trade between the two countries is expected to reach $1-billion mark this year. Unfortunately, the political and even the military governments in Pakistan remained hostage to various pressure groups which use religion as a tool for their vested interests. Sectarian war, terrorism and many other evils made their ways into the social and political life of the people which has not only disturbed peace and security but also economy of the country.
It is time the religious, liberal and social groups come forward for a common cause that is to improve the image of Pakistan as social and liberal democratic country and support those step which ensure prosperity in this country. The example of Malaysia and Bangladesh is before us where religious groups are cut to their size and the countries are improving their economies with leaps and bounds. Faith is near to our hearts and no one will take it away forcibly from us. We as a nation cannot afford to live as a pariah state or as a nation of religious fanatics.
