Agence France Presse

Karachi, February 2:

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf is to open an international trade fair today designed to attract foreign investors scared off by violence which has plagued the country since 9/11, officials said. The five-day event in the volatile southern metropolis of Karachi, Pakistan’s most populous city and its commercial hub, was being held under tight security with thousands of police and troops being deployed.

“It is the biggest commercial event here since 9/11 and is aimed at sharing our economic turnaround with the rest of the world,” said Tariq Ikram, Chairman of Pakistan’s Export Promotion Bureau. Some 450 delegates from 77 countries will take part in the Expo 2005 event, including 13 commerce ministers, he added.

Pakistan’s status as key US ally under General Musharraf since the September 11, 2001 attacks on America has proved a double-edged sword.

It has had billions of dollars in foreign debts wiped out as a reward but has also suffered from an increase in terror attacks by Islamic militants enraged at its stance alongside Washington. “Pakistan’s image has been tarnished since 9/11 as a country which promotes extremism and religious intolerance,” said Salahuddin Haider, spokesman for the government of Sindh province, where Karachi is located.

Pakistan recorded 6.4 per cent growth last year and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has forecast it will rise to 7.0 per cent this year.

The exhibition opening late today is for foreign investors only until Saturday, when it will be declared open for local residents.