http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=3104...&term=&supDate=Japanese firms to enhance investment in Pakistan TOKYO (August 10 2005):
A number of Japanese companies on Tuesday announced expansion and enhancement in their business activities and investment in Pakistan, including construction of gas pipeline. The commitments came during meetings of chief executive officers (CEOs) of many companies, who called on Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to discuss numerous incentives offered by the country and their expertise in specialised fields.Those who called on the prime minister included ITOCHU Corporation chairman, Japan Gasoline Corporation JGC Corporation chairman, Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro) chairman and Honda Motors president.
During meeting with the ITOCHU Corporation chairman, a trading company with special expertise in textile, the prime minister said his current visit to Japan was part of the "Look East" policy of Pakistan.He said Japan was one of the major trading partners of Pakistan and sought its co-operation in home textiles and development of human resource.
The prime minister said there were vast opportunities for investment in oil and gas and small and medium enterprises.
The chairman of the corporation said his company is keen to make investment in Pakistan in textile and auto industry. He praised Pakistan's investment climate and said his company would like to benefit from it.
The Japan Gasoline Corporation chairman showed keen interest in making investment in gas pipelines. Shaukat appreciated the interest of the company and said Pakistan is looking at various options for gas import.
Talking to the Jetro chairman, the prime minister said the company is acting as a bridge between Pakistan and Japan. He said Pakistan needs the expertise of the group in developing its textile industry. Pakistan would also need co-operation of the company in implementing its programme of "one village, one product", he added.
During his meeting with the president of Honda Motors, Shaukat highlighted on Pakistan's economic policies, reforms and high growth rate.
The Honda Motors president said in view of increase in demand for motorcycles, his company would expand its business in the country.
He indicated establishment of another motorcycle plant in Pakistan.Water and Power Minister Liaquat Ali Jatoi, Industries and Production Minister Jehangir Khan Tareen, Minister of State for Economic Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, Board of Investment Chairman Waseem Haqqie and some of the businessmen accompanying the prime minister attended the meetings.
Meanwhile, in response to questions after delivering a talk here at the Japan Institute of International Affairs on "The situation in and around South Asia and the future prospects for the South Asian Region," Shaukat said that status quo on Kashmir was unacceptable and Pakistan and India need to address the issue 'squarely' without pushing it to the back burner.
"Status quo is not the answer and we have to think out of the box," he said.
He said the Kashmiris must get an opportunity to decide their future and any solution must reflect the aspirations of the people of occupied Kashmir. He said the three stakeholders have to sit on the table to arrive at a solution.
"I remain optimistic and hope that the atmospherics will create an ambience leading towards solution of this complex issue."
He said Pakistan desired peaceful environment in the region in its own interest. "Kashmir is the longstanding dispute at the heart of tension in South Asia," he said.
The prime minister, who is on a four-day visit to Japan, said Pakistan was engaged with India for the last two years in a peace process and have agreed upon a number of confidence-building measures (CBMs).
"Atmosphere in South Asia has improved, but we must make progress to resolve the core issue," he stressed.
"We believe that with sincerity, courage and flexibility, it should be possible to find out a solution acceptable to Pakistan, India and most importantly to the people of occupied Kashmir."
The prime minister said resolution of disputes and differences, especially Kashmir, will allow South Asia to fully realise its enormous potential for development and co-operation.
"Both the countries need to look ahead and make sincere efforts to achieve a solution to improve the atmospherics," he added.
Referring to trade between both the countries, he said it was limited as Pakistan believed that progress on major issues has to be in tandem with the progress on the Kashmir dispute and if this issue was resolved, movement could also be made on other matters.
Referring to the new dangers of terrorism and extremism, threat of proliferation and the challenges of development that exist besides the conflict situations, he said good governance and progress have become necessary for preservation of independence and sovereignty of a country.
He said the history of international terrorism in Pakistan's neighbourhood has a history that goes back to the days of Soviet invasion in 1979. He said the than world, in particular the West, got united to resist this ingress and to assist the Afghan Jihad.
"Afghanistan became the last front of the Cold War. When after 10 long years the Soviets withdrew, the world also turned away from Afghanistan and became preoccupied with the surge of freedom and free-market in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, a phenomenon partly triggered by Afghanistan," he added.
He said Pakistan that played a key role in resisting the Soviets in the 80s, has become a key partner in the international fight against terrorism.
"We reject terrorism. It is a danger that aims at destabilising modern societies and its anti-progress. We are fighting terrorism and extremism primarily in our own interest," he added.
He said apart from local action against terrorists and extremists, there was a need to address the root causes which lie in the longstanding disputes and problems such as Palestine the Middle East and Kashmir.
"Extremism and terrorism breed in an environment of humiliation and deprivation created by denial of freedom and justice," he added.
He referred to the concept of Enlightened Moderation by President Musharraf and said it addresses the issue aptly.
To a question about the image of Islam, the prime minister categorically rejected the notion that the religion had anything to do with terrorism.
"Islam is a religion of tolerance, interfaith harmony and gives complete freedom to those who practice their beliefs."
He said Islam offered 'Ijtehad' a system of consensus, which allows its interpretation according to the changing times. He also rejected the notion of clash of civilisations and said all religions believe in tolerance. "We are proud of our religion as it preaches peace and tolerance," he added.
The Prime Minister called for the need of developing understanding and an openness among the people of all faiths for greater interfaith harmony.
He said a certain minority, despite the belief it professes, pursues extremism, but said that such attitude should not be attributed to any particular religion.
He said there could be nothing farthest from the truth the impression that Islam was linked to terrorism. "There are certain individuals and we must fight their extremist behaviour," he added.
To a question about Gwadar Port, Shaukat clarified that it was not a defence establishment. "It is an open city, with beautiful beaches and a five-star hotel in its final stages, being developed as a tourist resort."Shaukat said Pakistan was a responsible nuclear state, committed to nuclear non-proliferation and had put in place checks and balances and controls to ensure that nuclear technology does not fall into wrong hands.
He said Pakistan's nuclear programme was aimed at providing the country sovereignty and security to maintain balance in the region.
The prime minister reiterated Pakistan's stance of nuclear non-proliferation and said the country also believed that any country should use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes under the IAEA safeguards.
He said Pakistan had a strong Nuclear Command and Control Authority that had put in place checks and balances to ensure that nuclear technology does not fall into wrong hands.
"We have a secure system, world class in terms of protection of our nuclear capability and it is robust, effective and provides necessary controls, which are required," he added.
He said that perhaps if India had not conducted its nuclear tests, Pakistan might not have done so. Pakistan had to turn to the nuclear option because of its security concerns, he added.
He said in 1974 Pakistan advocated a nuclear weapons-free zone in South Asia, "however, we found a few supporters for that idea, as the international community had already reconciled to the new reality created by the 1974 test."
He said Pakistan supports nuclear and conventional restraint and avoidance of arms race in South Asia.
"We have offered a strategic restraint regime to India in addition to security related to CBMs to minimise risks on account of accidents," Shaukat said.
He said though it may sound paradoxical, as Pakistan is a nuclear weapon state, but added that the country was a reluctant entrant into the nuclear club and developed its capability in response to the nuclear tests conducted by its neighbour in 1974.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan also shares its concern in the region. "We want the Korean Peninsula to be free of nuclear weapons and we wish to see the Six Party talks succeed."
Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2005