Download Final Speech for (20.03.2014)

Welcoming Remarks by the Ambassador of Pakistan on the National Day of
Pakistan, Prague (20 March 2014)
President, Senate of the Czech Republic,
Deputy Minister of Defence
Dean of the Diplomatic Corps,
Excellencies Ambassadors,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies & Gentlemen,
Good Evening & Dobry Vecer,
It is enormous honour and huge privilege for me to welcome Milan Stech,
President, Senate of the Czech Republic, and our distinguished guests to the
Pakistan Day Reception. I express profound thanks to all guests for gracing this
occasion.
(Prosim dovolte mi uvitat predsedu Senatu Ceske republiky, pana Milana Stecha, a
vsechny dalsi vyznamne hosty. Velice vam vsem Dekuji za ucast.)
Allow me, to convey to the new government of Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka,
our best wishes for continued success, progress and economic development of the Czech
Republic as well as prosperity of its people.
On 23 March 1940, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, adopted the Lahore
Resolution, pledging for the creation of an independent Muslim state. The valiant
struggle culminated on 14 August 1947 and Pakistan emerged as an independent
country.
The people and the Government of Pakistan have been facing steadfastly the
critical and formidable challenges of militancy, extremism, terrorism, law and order
situation and internal security. We have faced hundreds of suicide attacks, and lost over
40,000 innocent civilians, as well as over 7000 brave soldiers, security personnel and
policemen. Being the worst victim, Pakistan condemns terrorism in its all forms and
manifestations. As terrorism is a common threat to the entire international community,
we need to defeat it collectively.
In 2013, we had free, fair and transparent general elections in Pakistan. As a
result, a peaceful transfer of power took place from one elected government to another.
The government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif inherited long power outages and
stifled economic growth. Over the last nine months, the economy has started showing
revival due to prudent measures taken by the Government of Pakistan through
launching the Power Policy, clearing circular debt, presenting an austerity budget,
cutting wasteful expenditure, reducing a number of ministries, and abolishing
discretionary grants.
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As reported by The Economist, in its latest issue, Pakistan, despite all
challenges and odds, achieved 6.1% GDP growth in 2013, which is the second highest,
after China’s 7.7% GDP growth, and 13.2% industrial production, which is the highest in
the world. Inflationary pressures have started to ease, budget borrowings have reduced
drastically, exports are picking up, and foreign remittances have also recorded upward
growth. The Pakistani rupee has stabilized.
We have valiant and professional Armed Forces, a vibrant democracy,
independent judiciary and free media. The people of Pakistan are epitome of resilience.
The civil society and the middle class are getting far stronger than many think. This is a
new and confident Pakistan with ceaseless creativity, adaptability and entrepreneurship.
Mobile and micro financing as well as new approaches in learning augur well and offer
the best hope for the country’s future. The Government of Pakistan is fully committed
and poised to meet enormous economic opportunities and security challenges.
The diplomatic relations between Pakistan and the erstwhile Czechoslovakia were
established on 27 September 1950. Since then, the two countries have maintained close,
cordial, cooperative and mutually beneficial relations in the fields of defence, energy,
infrastructure, trade and investment. Our bilateral relations have been consolidated
through regular exchange of visits of Ministers and senior officials and trade delegations
of the two countries.
We have signed a number of MoU and agreements to bolster cooperation.
Agreements on the Promotion & Protection of Investments; Avoidance of Double
Taxation and the Establishment of Joint Economic Commission are under process
between the two governments. The signing of these agreements will further strengthen
bilateral relations.
The Czech Republic held the first Pakistan-EU Summit during its EU Presidency
in 2009 and supported Pakistan in the EU for enhanced market access. The European
Union is Pakistan’s largest trading partner accounting for 25% of our exports. We are
grateful to the Government of the Czech Republic and the European Union member
countries for their invaluable support extended to Pakistan for grant of the GSP Plus
Status in the EU with effect from 01 January 2014.
I would like to express profound thanks to the Czech companies, Aero Trade,
VTK Special, and Prvni brneska strojirna Velka Bites for their support as well as
assistance of my colleagues and the Czech staff at the Embassy of Pakistan in organizing
the National Day Reception.
Let me conclude by praying for good health, success and prosperity of leaders and the
peoples of our two countries, as well as our guests present here tonight.
Thanks a lot. Dekuji Vam!
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