Pak has potential to become one among top 20 economies: Saudi Crown Prince
Islamabad, Feb 18: Pakistan has the potential to become one the top 20 economies of the world, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman said Monday as he concluded his two-day visit to Islamabad.
The Crown Prince briefly interacted with the media along with Prime Minister Imran Khan at Nur Khan air base at the conclusion of his first state visit to Pakistan.
"We saw the Pakistani economy grow by 5 per cent in 2018 so we believe that Pakistan has huge potential. It could be one of top 20 economies in the future, easily. If the efforts of the leadership, the people of Pakistan, and their allies come together, definitely it can reach that one day," he said.
"So because of that, we believe in Pakistan. Because of our long relations...We want to be part of that journey and we want to risk our money, to risk our efforts, to start from day one... What we did today, it's the beginning and we hope in the close future we do more and more partnering with Pakistan," he said.
The Crown Prince thanked the Prime Minister Khan who drove him back to the air base. Khan and Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa saw off the royal guest at Nur Khan Airbase.
Prime Minister Khan said the relations between the two countries were focused on economic ties.
"The enhanced ties are just the beginning of future relations," he said.
"Pakistan's geo-strategic location, the comparative advantage Saudi Arabia has in certain areas, and the advantages that Pakistan has - the combination augurs very well for the future," Khan said.
"We want you to consider Pakistan your second home. The PM House, where you were staying, rest assured that when you are in Pakistan ... (you can) consider it your own house and come and stay there," he told the visiting dignitary.
Prince Salman responded by saying that he also feels "at home in Pakistan".
Earlier, Prince Salman held one-on-one and delegation level talks with Khan and the two sides also singed seven MoUs and agreements worth USD 20 million.
The Crown Prince also met President Arif Alvi, General Bajwa and a parliamentary delegation of all political parties.
It was his first visit to Pakistan since his elevation as Crown Prince in April, 2017.
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Hemant Soren to take oath as 14th CM of Jharkhand on Thursday
Ranchi (PTI): Hemant Soren is set to take oath as the 14th chief minister of Jharkhand in a grand ceremony here on Thursday, which will be attended by several top political leaders, including AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Soren at 4 pm.
This will be the 49-year-old JMM leader's fourth stint as chief minister.
Soren retained the Barhait seat, defeating BJP's Gamliyel Hembrom by a margin of 39,791 votes in the recent assembly polls. The JMM-led alliance stormed to victory, securing 56 seats in the 81-member assembly, while the BJP-led NDA managed 24 seats.
Posters for the event can be seen across the city, while security has been strengthened and traffic regulations put in place.
Schools in Ranchi city are shut on Thursday in view of the swearing in of the Hemant Soren government.
Jharkhand in-charge and Congress general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir said Soren is likely to take oath alone, and expansion of the cabinet will be held after a vote of confidence in the assembly.
Other senior political leaders likely to be in attendance are NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, a JMM leader said.
CPI(ML)L general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti and Bihar’s Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav are also likely to attend the oath-taking ceremony.
"It’s heartening to have such esteemed leaders join us for this important occasion," said Soren, who along with senior officials paid a visit to the Morabadi ground on Wednesday evening to take stock of the arrangements.
