Message on occasion of Pakistan Day

ON THIS commemorative occasion of Pakistan Day, I take the opportunity to extend to all Pakistan nationals and friends of Pakistan in Brunei Darussalam my heartiest felicitations.

Today we mark passing of the Pakistan Resolution at Iqbal Park, Lahore on March 23, 1940. The dream we dreamt on that day to have a sovereign country where Muslims of the sub-continent could observe their religions, social, cultural and economic freedom, become a reality as Pakistan in 1947. Embodiment of the ideology could not have been possible without staunch commitment, untiring efforts and wise leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Pakistan has come a long way since independence in achieving successes in various fields. The government is making earnest efforts to further develop the economy. Growth in Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) revenues from financial year 2012-13 to 2013-14 has been 16 per cent as against the previous year. In the first seven months of financial year 2014-15, the revenue has shown further growth of 12.4 per cent. In 2013-14 GDP growth was 4.14 per cent which was the highest in last six years.

The government targets it to be 5.1 per cent in current financial year. Inflation is now under six per cent in first eight months of 2014-15 with month of February 2015 ending with 3.2 per cent – the lowest since the year 2000. Home remittances have grown by 13.7 per cent in 2013-14 as against those in 2012-13. In current financial year these went up a further 14.6 per cent in the first seven months.

In energy sector, we already have projects for over 7,000 MW for which financial close has been achieved and the government is working to complete these within next three years. Additional 3,000 MW electricity generation is planned to meet supply-demand gap.

Pakistan’s current share of global IT industry is estimated at US$2.8 billion. We have a skilled workforce of 110,000 IT professionals of whom 24,000 are engaged in exports. For the last seven years more than US$12 billion have been invested in telecom sector.

In line with its commitment on elimination of the scourge of terrorism, the government has taken various steps including operation Zarb-e-Azab, National Action Plan and 21st Constitutional Amendment. With these steps Insya Allah, and with the strong support of the people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, we will defeat terrorism.

Now it is our duty to portray and prove ourselves overseas in a manner to boost the image of our nation. I urge our community of 400-500 Pakistanis including businessmen, teachers and doctors to continue exerting their efforts in development of our brotherly Brunei Darussalam and concomitantly play their due share for the betterment of our motherland.

I am certain that our Pakistani students studying in various institutions in Brunei Darussalam will also make their nation proud through their hard work and excellence.

Pakistan and Brunei Darussalam enjoy friendly relations with cooperation in diverse areas including defence, education, manpower and investment. We have identity of views on various issues confronting the Islamic world.

We are thankful to the government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam for extending help to us during natural calamities. There exists vast potential and will to further our bilateral relations in diverse fields, which I am sure will fruit in near future.

I once again avail this opportunity to congratulate the Pakistani community and friends of Pakistan in Brunei Darussalam on the occasion of Pakistan Day, and convey my best wishes and assurances for the continued enhancement of Pakistan-Brunei ties. (Message by Brigadier (Rtd) Muhammad Zareef Malik, High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Brunei Darussalam)