DUBAI 11 February 2019: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan yesterday cautioned his countrymen and partners that the coming reforms will be “painful” – but vowed to carry on.
“We launched a comprehensive programme of reform. In 1996, when the political process started, the beginnings were very bad and we did not achieve the desired results. But from my sports experience, I learned that you are losing only when you give up. The reforms are painful and we are working to reduce the fiscal deficit,” he told delegates during his keynote speech on the opening day of the World Government Summit being held in Dubai.
“We are opening Pakistan to foreign investment and tourism.”
While in Dubai Imran Khan met with Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). She assured him of IMF’s support.
“I had a good and constructive meeting with Prime Minister Khan, during which we discussed recent economic developments and prospects for Pakistan in the context of ongoing discussions toward an IMF-supported program.
“I reiterated that the IMF stands ready to support Pakistan. I also highlighted that decisive policies and a strong package of economic reforms would enable Pakistan to restore the resilience of its economy and lay the foundations for stronger and more inclusive growth. As emphasized in the new government’s policy agenda, protecting the poor and strengthening governance are key priorities to improve people’s living standards in a sustainable manner.”
Imran Khan said he is looking for development models.
“We look at many examples of development around us. Dubai and the UAE are examples of achievement. For example, China managed to get 700 million people out of poverty in 30 years. These examples inspire me in building a state that cares for the poor and the weak. We need a humane and fair state and an example of this is the state built by our Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him.”
Mohammed bin Rashid receives Pakistani PM
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, yesterday received Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and his accompanying delegation on the sidelines of the 7th World Government Summit.
In presence of Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Mohammed welcomed his guest and discussed with him the development of bilateral relations between the UAE and Pakistan in various aspects.
Prime Minister Khan applauded the organisation of the World Government Summit as an innovative platform that brings together decision makers, intellectuals, and officials from around the world to trigger new thinking on how to solve the challenges the future brings for nations and develop vital sectors such as education and healthcare.
“We congratulate His Highness Sheikh Mohammed on organizing such events where thoughts are exchanged and intellectual ideas are promoted,” he added.
Sheikh Mohammed also received Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, in presence of the Dubai Crown Prince and discussed with her the programmes and policies adopted by the UAE to help alleviate the suffering of people in disaster-hit areas in cooperation with international organisations. The UN Deputy Secretary General praised the role of the UAE in supporting relief efforts around the world and the efforts exerted in this regard.
Mohamed bin Zayed receives Pakistan Prime Minister
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, yesterday received the visiting Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan.
Sheikh Mohamed welcomed Imran Khan and discussed with him cooperation and bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to enhance them in the best interest of the two countries.
They also reviewed the existing cooperation between the two sides in the political, economic, development domains and the two countries’ desire to promote them into wide horizons.
Sheikh Mohamed expressed his happiness at developing ties between the two countries out of the two sides’ keenness on diversifying and expanding them to include all sectors. They exchange views on the latest regional and international developments and issues of mutual concern.
Earlier, Sheikh Mohamed received Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Amiri Flight airport on his arrival. He was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Minister of Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Minister Asad Umar, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, and Minister of Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi.
Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Industry; Dr. Sultan bin Ahmad Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State; Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei; Under-Secretary of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi and Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan, were present from the UAE side.
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