GDP growth strengthens national economy: Mamnoon

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Thursday said the GDP has grown significantly during the last a few years which has also strengthened the national economy.

He also said that there is a need to further enhance national income and development through the continuation of policies and all segments of the country, including industrial and business community should play their role in this regard.

Talking to a delegation of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (RCCI), headed by its President Zahid Latif Khan, which called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, President emphasised that the continuation of economic policies is imperative for the stability of national economy. He underlined that it is a matter of great satisfaction that the government is working on the similar strategy.

“It will have a positive impact on the economic sector and commerce & industry,” he said and added that the decision to reduce tax rate will have a salutary effect on the economy and will also increase the national income.

He underscored that national growth rate has increased during the last four years which is quite satisfactory. He added that corruption has been decreased which has also a positive impact on the economy. He told the delegation that the electricity generation in the country has been increased, load- shading has been controlled and after this the prices of electricity will also be reduced.

Expressing satisfaction with the import of LNG for power production, he said that it will help to overcome the energy issues. He noted that government’s policies are in the right direction, but the trade and industrial community of the country must stay in a constant contact with the Ministry of Commerce & Trade so that these policies may be further improved. He urged that the chambers of commerce and other trade organisations should promote research in various field so that new opportunities for the national industry and commerce could be determined after reviewing the international trends.

He said that it is inappropriate to deny development process and achievements only due to the political and personal differences. “Different segments of society should discourage these elements in order to accelerate the pace of development of the country,” he added.

He stressed that business community is the pillar of national economy and the government is fully committed to promote industry & commerce and to resolve the issues of this sector. He added that this strategy is producing fruitful results.

Earlier, First Lady Begum Mehmooda Mamnoon Hussain said adhering to the principles of morality can save one from many social evils as Islam greatly emphasises on good conduct and ethics.

During an interaction with girl school students at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the first lady said that good conduct not only confined to dealing with others while demonstrating good manners but also included other virtues including faith, belief in oneness of Allah, offering prayers and fasting and righteous deeds. She said morality also included truth and honesty in public dealing, respect towards elders and affection for young ones, good behavior with neighbours, relatives and acquaintances, ensuring justice among people, belief in life-here-after, recitation of Quran, abiding by principles of Islam, fulfillment of rights of people and refraining from earnings by illegal means and wealth of widows and orphans.

She mentioned that the entire life of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) was a reflection of good deeds, who always respected elders and loved children. “For this reason, the Prophet (PBUH) was regarded with high esteem even by the non-Muslims”, she added. The event was part of the series of the First Lady's meetings with young girls with an aim to focus on their moral grooming in addition to their academic education.