UAE investment is endorsement of Musharraf’s vision: Elahi

Staff Report

LAHORE: Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Friday praised United Arab Emirates’ investment in Pakistan as an endorsement of President Pervez Musharraf’s economic policies.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for Sheikh Zayed Centre, a 55-storey building near Gaddafi Stadium on Ferozepur Road, Elahi said President Musharraf’s policies had given the nation hope for peace, progress and prosperity.

He said that the project was a joint venture between the Dhabi Group of UAE and the Punjab Government and cooperation and teamwork between the UAE and the Pakistani government would flourish in future.

He said that a new era of investment had begun in Pakistan and reflected enduring faith that the country was safe, secure and stable.

He said that Pakistan was now marching towards economic growth, prosperity and development in every sphere of life.

He said that the project was a symbol of determination and collective commitment to a better standard of living for the people of Pakistan. He thanked the Dhabi Group and Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al-Nahayan for their devotion for the welfare of the people of Pakistan.

The chief minister said that the centre would create 25,000 jobs. He said that late Sheikh Zayed had played a sterling role in Pakistan’s history in education, healthcare, farming, housing and aviation.

He said the UAE was a time-tested friend of Pakistan and this relationship was pivotal to the socio-economic well being of Pakistan. Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al-Nahayan, the UAE education minister, greeted the Pakistani government, especially President Pervez Musharraf, for ensuring friendly environment for foreign investment in Pakistan. He said that the Dhabi Group would invest more in Pakistan and take full advantage of incentives offered to foreign investors.

“I want to see Pakistan an economically strong nation,” said Sheikh Mubarak and added that the Dhabi Group would help Pakistan develop. He thanked the Punjab chief minister for his government’s cooperation in the project.

Punjab Governor Lt Gen (r ) Khalid Maqbool, provincial ministers, MPAs and senior officials were also present.

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