KARACHI – Assuring the nation that Karachi would be crime-free by 2018, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif pledged to take the military operation afoot in the City of Lights against terrorists and criminals to its logical end.
He was addressing various delegates after inaugurating the four-day 9th Expo Pakistan Exhibition. On the occasion, he said that the country’s exports for the year 2013-2014 stood at $25 billion, and hoped that it would reach $50 billion in the next three years.
He said, “The country’s textile policy has been reviewed and exports in the textile sector will increase from $13b annually to $26bn by the year 2019.” He added the government would provide all facilities to the textile industry to achieve the intended economic goals and added, “Pakistan’s textile industry holds a prestigious position in the global market, especially in household apparels like bed sheets, jeans etc.”
He noted the fact that the Expo was being held in Karachi made it clear that the city held great importance in the world of business. He added the Expo had successfully attracted the attention of several foreign investors and economic growth was the top priority of Pakistan.
He added foreign countries and international companies would be provided facilitation for investments in the country.
He said the ongoing operation in Karachi would not be left halfway, but would be taken to its logical end. He asserted the government was firm in eradicating militancy and had decided to take solid steps to ensure peace in the country. He said the decisive moment had come to bring Karachi’s peace back and purge the city of the militants. “We are determined that the power of gun would rest with the government and not with the militants,” he said. He vowed Karachi would soon be rid of major crimes, including kidnapping for ransom.
