ISLAMABAD: Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) declared that there would be no compromise on the writ of the state and nobody would be allowed to impose its agenda through use of force and barrel of the gun.
Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani conveyed the declaration on behalf of the Apex Committee of SIFC after its fifth meeting.
He was addressing a news conference flanked by Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti and other members of the cabinet following a meeting of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).
The minister said Pakistan was playing an important and effective role in the region and at international forums. Pakistan had improved its relations with China, the United States, European Union, Saudi Arabia, Gulf Cooperation Council and countries in the Middle East and Central Asia, he said.
He said the Gulf countries had shown keen interest in investment in Pakistan after formation of the SIFC. He said a comprehensive policy would be formulated for resolution of issues of overseas Pakistanis.
Terming Africa as an important region, Jilani said ‘Look Africa’ policy has been formulated and our relations with African countries will be further enhanced.
He said the ties with European countries also hold significance and trade with the EU will be promoted. The Foreign Minister said steps are being taken to solve the problems of international investors and issue long-term visas.
The government had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against smuggling and it would speed up the process of ensuring sale of taxable goods, he mentioned.
Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani said that Pakistan is pursuing pro-active diplomacy and its relations with other countries are improving.
Jilani confirmed that a demarche was issued to the Afghan charge d’affaires in the wake of the terrorist attack on two military posts in Chitral district.
He said the Chitral incident was “very unfortunate” and said Pakistan was taking the recent rise in terrorism very seriously. He said Pakistan was in continued engagement with Afghan authorities.
Similarly, interim Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti said Pakistan and the world expect the Afghan Taliban authorities to honour the Doha agreement and not allow Afghanistan’s soil to be used for schemes against other countries.
The apex committee unanimously decided to take all decisions in the larger interest of the country and deal with the menace of smuggling, hoarding and market manipulations with iron hands through an elaborate enforcement mechanism.
The Prime Minister directed the ministries to optimally utilize the short interim period for a positive contribution while also initiating medium and long-term policy interventions.
Chief of Army Staff pledged unwavering support of Pakistan Army to backstop the government’s efforts for economic revival of the country.
