The present government is sincere in doing something for this nation, but does not know from where to start. The finance minister of this country is an accountant and he is able to manage the accounts almost in a perfect manner, but he has failed to achieve economic and financial discipline. The prime minister is an industrialist, but his knowledge is limited to the extent of industry whereas economy is something which covers financial discipline, trade, investment, and industry all together. During his visit to Belorussia, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has projected Pakistan as a gateway of trade and energy with potential to connect various countries in the region through oil and gas pipelines, power transmission lines and roads network to boost regional trade and investment. Addressing a function at a Belarusian university, he counted Pakistan’s ability to work as an engine of growth not only for itself, but also for the region. Pakistan has necessary infrastructure, manpower and vast natural resources most of which are still untapped and has economically viable geographical location as it is situated at the confluence of the ancient silk routes – the cusp of Central, South and West Asia which makes it a potential hub of regional trade.
Inviting the Byelorussian investors, the prime minister precisely counted the economic and trade opportunities in the region while the foreign investors can reap the benefits of enormous potential in Pakistan and the Pakistan-China Economic Corridor will change the dynamics of the region. Pakistan offers ample opportunities of co-operation in the field of energy such as CASA-1000 and the Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India (TAPI) gas pipeline projects. The prime minister says that the challenges of security, environment and depleting water resources call for closer collaboration on the regional and international levels. The Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, Eurasian Economic Union and creation of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) are important accomplishments which the regional countries achieved and there is a need to work for the shared goals for the development of the regional economies.
Pakistan is ready to establish cordial relations with India and Afghanistan and seeks to expand foreign direct investment in the fields of power generation, infrastructure development, agriculture and agro-based industry as well as mining and oil and gas exploration. Pakistan is committed to eliminate the menace of terrorism from its soil and Islamabad will not allow using its territory for terrorist activities. It is a good omen that the government is shifting its thrust from political relations to economic relations. Economy should be the basis of friendly relations and the government should only concentrate on it.
