Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain Thursday said operation Zarb-e-Azb would continue till elimination of last terrorist from the country.

Addressing the cadets of armed forces belonging to Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force who called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the president acknowledged the sacrifices rendered by the armed forces.

He exhorted the young cadets to serve their homeland with zeal and dedication and keep themselves abreast of issues to effectively meet the challenges. He said the government was committed to make the country’s defence invincible for what the requirements of the armed forces would be met.

Mamnoon said that economic policies of the government were in right direction thereby creating favourable environment for foreign investment. He stressed that the revival of state institutions and resuscitation of economy

He reiterated that the government was concertedly making efforts to promote national integration and called upon the people to foil nefarious designs of the anti-state elements. He called upon the young cadets to uphold the highest standards of integrity and always be prepared for defending the frontiers of the country. “You should serve your motherland like a true Pakistani by rising above ethnic and racial discrimination and always keep the interests of your country supreme above everything,” the president remarked.

Separately, President Mamnoon on Thursday met UN Secretary General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development Queen Maxima and discussed matters of mutual interest.

In a meeting held at Aiwan-e-Sadr, both the dignitaries viewed that the pace of progress could be further expedited by ensuring access of common man to the fruits of progress and financial resources.

State Bank of Pakistan Governor Ashraf Mahmood Wathra, Finance Secretary Dr Waqar Masood Khan and other high officials, also attended the meeting.

President Mamnoon said that overall situation in the country was improving with the economy stabilising and the benefits being passed on to the common man.

He said that Pakistan was a victim of the decades-old conflicts in the region and 60,000 civilians and the officials of law enforcement agencies embraced martyrdom in its wake. In addition, Pakistan had borne the financial losses of more than $100 billion because of this turmoil. He urged upon the World Bank and other international institutions to support Pakistan in surmounting the problems.

Queen Maxima hoped that the benefits of economic policies initiated by the government of Pakistan would be passed on to the common man to improve their living standard.

She hoped that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor would bring prosperity and stability in the region.