ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) President Dr Murtaza Mughal said on Friday that the issuance of the tax directory would further improve the level of trust of the people on parliamentarians. Talking to Radio Pakistan he said that Pakistan was a great country with hardworking people and sincere leadership. “Pakistan is making rapid economic progress as heavy foreign direct investment is coming in our country. The improved Gross Domestic Product (GDP), infrastructure and heavy investment shows that country is moving towards right direction,” he said. Pakistan Economic Forum (PEF) Chairman Dr Humayun Iqbal Shami said that there was no doubt that macro-economic indicators have improved since 2013. “Our GDP and revenue have also shown progress. In the coming years, we will make further progress in many sectors. The tax directory shows tax payments of parliamentarians. It helps strengthening the confidence of the people on tax collection mechanism. It will further help reducing the corruption in the country,” he said. Pakistan’s economic indicators are on upward trajectory and improved law and order situation attracts more foreign investment, he said. Lt Gen (r) Naeem Khalid Lodhi said that Pakistan was the only country, which had successfully eliminated the menace of terrorism. “The country has wiped out all terrorists and militants from its soil through successful counter-terrorism operations.” “There are some sleeper cells, which execute sporadic activities,” he said. “Pakistan should further strengthen its relations with China, Afghanistan, Turkey and Iran,” he said. IR Expert Dr Rasheed Ahmed Khan said that the Trump administration was not acknowledging the sacrifices made by Pakistan in fight against terrorism. “The global community understands that Pakistan has successfully faced all challenges and gained considerable successes,” he said. “Islamabad is justified in its claim that global community, including the United States, should accept counter-terrorism efforts made by Pakistan,” he said. Published in Daily Times, July 29th , 2017.