Nitish in Pak, says good governance 'mantra' of Bihar's growth

"Pakistan and India have common history and heritage. Our bilateral relations are witnessing an all-round progress. We take pride in shared history that goes back to time immemorial," Kumar said at a luncheon hosted by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah.

"I feel happy to be in Pakistan. I bring good wishes and greetings for people of Pakistan," said the Chief Minister, who arrived here yesterday on a week-long visit to Pakistan.

He said he was "deeply touched" by the hospitality extended to him on his first visit to Pakistan. "I have been captivated by the warmth of brotherhood and goodwill."

Sharing his experiences, Kumar, who became Bihar's Chief Minister in 2005, said that "seven years back we started our quest for establishing governance and ensuring an all round development," which was both "a challenge and an opportunity".

"With our resolve for growth with justice manifold achievements have been marked across sectors like governance, law and order, human resource development, infrastructure and agriculture," he said.

Kumar said there is strict control over organised crime resulting in overall dip in crime graph in the state. "Improved law and order has paved the way for restoring the authority of the state. No communal riots or social discord has been witnessed in the last seven years."

"With communal amity and social harmony came development. Bihar achieved compound annual growth rate of 11 per cent over a period of last 5 years and aims at 13 per cent rate of growth for the 12th Plan. Growth rate for 2011-12 counts at 16.7 per cent, which is highest in the country." (More)