Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: In a bid to showcase the rising economic prospects of Pakistan, ‘Prosperous Pakistan’ campaign has been launched in London to project country’s position as an important and emerging player in the world economy.

The CPIC, an investment company which focuses on real estate opportunities under the $62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has placed huge banners on 100 iconic red double decker buses carrying the words “Prosperous Pakistan, #Pak2030, CPIC”.

The buses will run across London, including the central London zones, for two weeks, to be potentially seen by tens of thousands of people. The campaign aims to remind commuters and tourists of London, both local and international, that the South Asian country is a land of boundless opportunities and potential. The campaign banner also refers to CPIC’s #Pak2030 website where extensive material has been carried on Pakistan’s new global position.

Talking to media, CPIC’s board member Zeeshaan Shah said the campaign was ambitious and enthusiastic in terms of highlighting the good things about Pakistan and the opportunities the country offers. He explained that #Pak 2030 refers to the prediction by Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) that Pakistan will be the 20th largest economy in 2030 and “this ambitious campaign is our quest to share the real Pakistan with the world.”

He said the leading economic agencies of the world have said that Pakistan is the sixth largest nation in the world and an emerging market poised for major economic growth. “With a GDP that has grown for five straight years, poverty rates falling, education improving and with a young, ambitious population, Pakistan has much to offer to foreign businesses. Our mission at CPIC is to start a global movement to showcase the best of Pakistan,” he said, and added the campaign is the second this year highlighting a positive image of Pakistan in London.

“We want people to consider Pakistan positively and as a place to invest in. Over time and through the #Pak2030 campaign, we will highlight Pakistan’s strengths, passions and points of interest so that we can inform, educate and excite the world and correct some of the misconceptions that are often perpetuated. I request all Pakistanis all over the world to join us in this movement and show the world the true face of Pakistan.”

He explained that the campaign intends to quell the negative impression about Pakistan that has been created through negative propaganda in western press over the years. “This is just the start. Pakistanis are a brave and resilient nation and have seen lots of turbulence … but we have turned a corner in our future and in coming years we will be one of the most prosperous countries in Asia.”

Shah maintained that the CPIC has chosen London for the campaign because there’s no better place for a global campaign than London.

He said they will paint the city white and green in coming times to showcase its beauty and strengths. He said that negative propaganda has impacted Pakistan’s growth but a new Pakistan has emerged after the defeat of menace of terrorism. “The fact is we have a lot to be proud of. Pakistan has become one of the most secure nations of the world after militancy is defeated. We have given sacrifices for the whole world,” he concluded.

Published in Daily Times, July 5^th 2018.