ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar on Saturday said successful ongoing Zarb-e-Azb against terrorists would ultimately help restore peace besides attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country.
While addressing a crowded post-budget press conference in Islamabad, Ishaq Dar highly appreciated the efforts and sacrifices of the Armed Forces for their success against the terrorists.
The finance minister expressed the hope that successful Zarb-e-Azb operation against the terrorists would help restore peace besides attracting foreign investments in the country.
The Minister said that rehabilitation of the Temporarily Displaced Persons (TDPs) would be the priority of the government.
Ishaq Dar said the country had to bear $ 118 billion loss due to war on terror going on in Pakistan since 9/11.
“We are now in final phase of operation Zarb-e-Azb and it is hoped that soon we would get rid of terrorism which would help in further increase of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country”, he said.
During the current year, less than $6 billion loss was incurred to the country due to war on terror, compared to the loss of $10 billion last year, he added.
The Minister on the occasion said there has been an 11 percent increase in the Budget 2016-17 for defence.
