Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar stated that Pakistan is rich in mineral resources worth billions of dollars. He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of three-day annual celebrations of 320th Urs of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Kazmi popularly known as Bari Imam in Islamabad. Ishaq Dar said various steps are being taken to explore and effectively utilize the mineral resources for economic stability of the country.

After laying a chadar at the shrine, he said it was a matter of honour for him to attend the ceremony related to the annual Urs of Bari Imam. Ishaq Dar said that the government of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had achieved numerous successes in the economic field, and that the Pakistani economy was now moving in the right direction. 

“Pakistan became the 24th largest economy in the world in 2017,” he said, adding, “however, later on, economic conditions deteriorated, and people suffered due to inflation.” “Pakistan will become a dignified nation in the comity of nations,” he stressed. “Our goal is to bring Pakistan into the ranks of G-20 countries,” he said, adding, “Pakistan is bestowed with immense mineral resources.”

“Pakistan has mineral resources worth hundreds of billions of rupees. Steps are being taken to explore these resources hidden in the earth,” he stated. According to a survey, Pakistan has the fourth-largest gas reserves in the world and also possesses resources of gold, copper, and precious stones, he remarked. He said that during the tenure of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government, the country was saved from economic bankruptcy. 

He said Pakistan was diplomatically isolated during the rule of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government. He also claimed that Pakistan achieved great success in the war against India, adding that India’s plans to establish hegemony in the region were foiled. He lauded the role of mystics in the spread of Islam. Mr Dar said the renovation of the Bari Imam complex had been completed by the government after previous delays. He appreciated the officials who contributed to the development and preservation of the Bari Imam shrine.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)