ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Tuesday reminded India to act responsibly, as the ongoing tension between Pakistan and India would be detrimental for both the countries and also gravely affect the entire region. He expressed optimism that Indian reign of oppression in the disputed state of Jammu Kashmir would end and the Kashmiri people would soon gain independence, as a result of which there would be peace and stability in the region, quickening the pace of progress. The president said this while addressing the participants of 105th National Management Course (NMC) of the National School of Public Policy (NSPP), said a press release issued on Tuesday. Cabinet Secretary Syed Tahir Shahbaz, NSPP Rector Ismail Qureshi and other senior officials were also present on the occasion. President Mamnoon noted that the national economy was growing at a satisfactory pace and the government had devised special development projects for the entire country, particularly for the underdeveloped areas. He said that the current foreign exchange reserves were the highest in history. Balochistan would gain maximum benefit from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Gwadar deep seaport would become functional by the end of this year, he added. He emphasised that there was no change in the CPEC project including the western route. He stressed that operations across the country including Karachi would continue till complete restoration of law and order. He underlined that in order to make Pakistan a welfare state, the civil officers should honestly and efficiently implement government policies and programmes for the benefit and welfare of the people. The civil officers were servants of the people and not their rulers and they should discharge their responsibilities without any fear, the president said. President Mamnoon said the services rendered by the civil servants for the country and people were commendable adding that the dedication and devotion shown by civil officers after the creation of Pakistan should be emulated by the current bureaucracy. civil officers should assist the government in formulating such policies which were good for the people, he said. “The civil officers should work with great dedication to benefit from improving economic indicators and possibilities originating from the revival of economy and in this way, we will collectively be able to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state”, he added. The president said that civil officers should discharge their responsibilities within the domain of law and constitution and did not succumb to the unlawful directives.