ISLAMABAD - State Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, who left Davos, Switzerland, to attend World Economic Forum on Monday said that Forum would be an excellent avenue to showcase rising Pakistan.

During her visit, she will participate in interactive panel discussion entitled Strategic Outlook: South Asia and session Asia Game Changers. The minister will also hold discussion at Information and Entertainment System Initiative Stewards Meeting besides attending women leaders’ dinner 'The next wave of change.'

She will be participating in WEF along with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. In a statement issued before her departure to Davos, she said the PML-N was a builder of modern and shining Pakistan in consonance with the vision of the founding father and no obstacle, or hindrance had been able to dissuade it from achieving the targets of national development.

The minister said that democracy and parliamentary system were gaining strength in Pakistan and the months of May and June would bring the glad tiding of the completion of ten years of democracy in Pakistan.

The minister said the people of Pakistan would write the second shining chapter of transfer of power by exercising their right of vote independently during 2018. She said all the state institutions were functioning independently and there was rule of law and constitution in Pakistan.

Marriyum said Pakistan was a lucky country in the sense that it had a very dynamic civil society and the fundamental and constitutional right of freedom of expression was well protected. She said the media in Pakistan enjoyed unparalleled freedom. She said the use of social media by millions of Pakistanis testified to the fact that they did not lag behind the developed countries in regards to the use of modern technology.

The minister reiterated that the parliament by passing the Access to Information Bill had strengthened democracy and the role played by all the political parties in that regard was absolutely commendable. She said the government was also deliberating on bringing a comprehensive legislation for safety and security of the journalists.

Marriyum emphatically declared that the acceptance of Pakistan as an emerging economy by the world community was an irrefutable proof of performance of the PML-N government. She said that apart from reviving the economy the government had also restored peace in the country due to the steps taken in line with the vision of the former Prime Minister and the unmatched sacrifices offered by the armed forces, law enforcing agencies and police in the war against terrorism.

She said the Pakistani nation deserved salute for patience, determination and courage that it demonstrated in fighting the scourge of terrorism adding that drastic reduction in the incidents of terrorism was a triumph for the people and righteousness.

The minister observed that cultural diversity, sports, cultural heritage and captivating tourism sites were the real face of Pakistan. She said Pakistanis were a jovial nation having abiding and deep interest in sports, culture and fine arts. She said that the government was striving to reactivate the film industry besides promoting literate and pursuit of knowledge.

She said that minorities in Pakistan were quite safe and women had been duly empowered adding that the role of both these segments of the society in the national mainstream was on the increase. She said the women had been empowered by appointment of women ministers to lead the ministries of Information, National Health, Prime Minister's Youth Programme and Information Technology.

She said the women were being provided opportunities in every sphere of life with a view to encourage them to participate in the development of the country in conformity with the vision of the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

She remarked that the majority of the members of the delegation going to participate in the World Economic Forum were women. The minister said Prime Minister Shahid Khan Abbasi was encouraging equal participation of women in governance related issues.