Top Story

  Editorial

  Metro

  Kashmir

  Business

  Sports

  Scoop

  Societal

  Health

    Cartoon

DAVOS (Switzerland): President Pervez Musharraf has said that the proliferation of Atomic technology was not possible without the help of Europe yet only Pakistan has been singled out while no one questions the status of western countries on this topic.

Talking to newsmen at Davos, he said that the instruments relating to the Atomic technology were available only in European countries yet in Pakistan Government has began questioning its nuclear scientists.

No Official Involved

President Musharraf said that not Pakistani government but some individual scientists may have transferred nuclear technology.

And he stressed: "There is no such evidence that any government personality or military personality was involved in this at all." "I am not denying anything because we are investigating; we have sent teams to Libya, we have sent teams to Iran and we are in contact with the IAEA (the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency). We are collecting all the data."

Stern Action on Violators

He vowed "stern action" against violators: "There is nothing that we want to hide, we want to be very up and clear about it that we will move against anybody who proliferated," he said. Pakistan would move against any violator "because they are enemies of the state", he said.

The Pakistani Nuclear assets, Musharraf reiterated, were in safe hands. To another question he said that Pakistan want broad based dialogues with India which include all the conflicts.

Holds 26 engagements in 48 hours

Special Correspondent Shama Faisal of 'Pakistan Times', the first independent complete daily on the Web in Pakistan reports from Davos that President General Pervez Musharraf had a very hectic schedule at the World Economic Forum in Davos where he had 26 formal engagements in 24 hours in addition to his informal interactions with business and media leaders.

The President, who represented Pakistan at the annual meeting of the Forum, was one of the 30 heads of state or government who converged at the picturesque skiing resort to discuss world economy with focus on emerging markets.

He was the most sought-after person as requests for meetings by economic and media tycoons continued to pour till his departure for home Saturday evening.

Star of the Show

Musharraf was described at the Forum as the "Star of the show." His hectic schedule included at least six major speaking engagements that included two breakfast meetings, two working luncheons, a working dinner and a press conference that was largely attended by the international media.

He was interviewed live by major electronic media including BBC and CNN. Many other requests for interviews had to be declined due to paucity of time.

President Musharraf among other political leaders met with UN Secretary General Kofi Anan, US Vice President Dick Cheney, President of the Swiss Confederation, and Prince Karim Agha Khan.

The world's key business tycoons like Bill Gates of Mircrosoft, Peter Brabeck-Lemathe, Chief Executive of Nestle, George Soros, of Soros Foundation, Thomas J. Bata, Chairman Bata Shoes Foundation, Robert Luts, Vice Chairman General Motors, USA, Raymond V. Gilmartin, President and Chief Executive of Merek, Daniel Versala of pharmaceutical giant Novaratis and Chief Executive of Nissan, had arranged prior meetings with the President.

Pakistan economic epicenter of Region: WEF

The World Economic Forum, (WEF) that ended its five-day meeting in Davos, turned out be an event that gave Pakistan a unique opportunity to present itself as a growing economy, fast emerging at the crossroad of Gulf, South and Central Asia.

President General Pervez Musharraf, who represented Pakistan at the WEF's annual meeting, was the most sought-after person by the world business leaders who were keen to know about the economic progress in Pakistan, sensing country's strategic location that accommodates half of the world population.

Participants

Over the course of the five-day meeting, more than 2100 participants from 94 countries, including more than 30 heads of state or government, 75 Cabinet ministers, 28 religious leaders, 18 union leaders and more than 50 heads of NGOs converged at the Davos skiing resort to discuss sustained economic growth throughout the world.

The world's key business tycoons like Bill Gates of Mircrosoft, Peter Brabeck-Lemathe, Chief Executive of Nestle, George Soros, of Soros Foundation, Thomas J. Bata, Chairman Bata Shoes Foundation, Robert Luts, Vice Chairman General Motors, USA, Raymond V. Gilmartin, President and Chief Executive of Merek, Daniel Versala of pharmaceutical giant Novaratis and Chief Executive of Nissan, had arranged prior meetings with the President.

The President was also invited to working breakfast, luncheons and dinners by these leaders in a bid to have maximum opportunity to know Pakistan.

President Musharraf effectively projected Pakistan's potentials as a regional hub of the economic activities and received tremendous response from the these leaders who were very keen to explore investment and business opportunities in the country.

Software Tycoon

Software tycoon Bill Gates discussed with the President the prospects of increasing Microsoft involvement in Pakistan. He also proposed some suggestions vis-a-vis E-goverance in Pakistan to be examined by the government. He also promised to help the Pakistan government in its efforts to produce world-class IT professionals.

Novaratis' Chairman Daniel Versala during his meeting with the President discussed further expansion of his company's business with focus on using Pakistan as a conduit for exports to South, Gulf and Central Asian regions. The company already has a strong presence in Pakistan.

Chairman Merck, running a factory in Pakistan, showed keen interest in increasing its investment in Pakistan for enhancing production mainly for export purposes.

Nestle's CEO, with already a large investment in Pakistan, also discussed expanding its business in Pakistan.

Prince Karim Agha Khan also met the President and exchanged views on the efforts in the social sector and the investment opportunities in the country.

"The WEF provided a unique opportunity to Pakistan to show its economic potential to key business leaders, and their interest is an indication of their trust in the country's growing economy which will prove a good omen, specially in the sphere of foreign investment," said Finance Minister Shukat Aziz.

The two economic ministers also held meetings with business leaders on the sidelines of the Forum to project Pakistan's budding economy.

President Musharraf's meeting with these leaders also greatly helped to remove some misperceptions about the country with regard to law and order and the security of investment.

Meetings with UN Secretary General, US Vice President

The President also held meetings with UN Secretary General Kofi Anan, US Vice President Dick Cheney, besides formal and informal interaction with other political and religious leaders, and explained Pakistan's view point on the issues of extremism, world political disputes and nuclear non-proliferation and new developments in Pakistan-India relations.

All the leaders, who met the President, noted with appreciation Pakistan's contribution to end the twin menaces of extremism and international terrorism and for its efforts to bring about lasting peace in the region.

Besides President Musharraf, other political leaders who attended the forum included King Abdullah of Jordon, Presidents of Poland, Nigeria, Argentina, Prime Ministers of Turkey, Canada, and new Secretary General of NATO and President of the European Parliament.

Returns Home

The President returned on Sunday after week long visit to Turkey and Davos (Switzerland) where he attended World Economic Forum.

During his three day visit to Turkey the President had fruitful discussion with the Turkish leadership and the two countries signed agreements to boost cooperation in the fight against international terrorism and improve the two way trade to one billion dollar by next year.

President Musharraf underlined the need to translate the excellent political ties between the two countries into a meaningful economic cooperation.

In Davos, President Musharraf represented Pakistan at the annual meeting of World Economic Forum where he had interaction with key business leaders and also addressed the Forum.

The President who had a very busy schedule through out his stay in Davos, projected Pakistan as a growing economy and an emerging economic cross road to South Asia, Gulf and Central Asian regions.