Islamabad: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif has said India copied his government’s initiatives in the 1990s.
Sharif said Indian reforms that were initiated in 90s by the government of Narasimha Rao were influenced by industrial reforms initiated by his government in Pakistan, reports the Daily Times.
Sharif was the prime minister in October 1990 and initiated an ambitious economic programme. In June 1991, Rao became the Indian prime minister and appointed Manmohan Singh as the finance minister. Soon the rupee was devalued and Rao abolished industrial licensing and other socialist measures which India had not adopted until then.
"If not for corrupt governments that followed later, Pakistan would have been on the path of economic growth by now," said Nawaz. He criticised President Asif Ali Zardari and former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, and also blamed the two for the increase in conflict and militancy in Pakistan.
Calling upon Pakistani nationals living abroad to come forward and help change Pakistan, Sharif said returning him to power would be the only way for Pakistan to once again move forward towards economic progress and social stability.
ANI
