Islamabad (Pakistan):Pakistan's participation in the two Afghan wars resulted in destabilising the country's economy and affected its per capita income, Pakistan Federal Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin said on Monday.
Tarin made these remarks while speaking at the annual dinner of Punjab University Institute of Business Administration's alumni association on Saturday, Dawn newspaper reported. Pakistan took part in the two wars in Afghanistan -- one during the 1980s and the 'war on terror' launched by the US, during the Bush administration.
The minister said that the present Pakistani government has devised short, mid, and long-term plans for national development. Tarin said the country was in need of inclusive and sustainable growth and need to focus on increasing revenues and promoting productive sectors. He said that only growth can help Pakistan avoid the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank programs.
"In the 1960s, Pakistan's economy was far better than South Korea's," he said. But currently, per capita income in Pakistan was 1,500 dollars, which is significantly less than than the per capita income of South Korea. This statement comes as Pakistan claims itself as one of the victims of the war in Afghanistan.