LAHORE: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) an apex body of chambers under the umbrella of United Business Group (UBG) Thursday unanimously expressing complete solidarity with Pak valiant armed forces and law enforcing agencies, said that entire business community stands united against war on terror and any external threat besides creating business-friendly environment fully ensuring durable security for economic growth across the country.
United Business Group Chairman Iftikhar Ali Malik chairing a core committee of the group, the ruling party in FPCCI said that “We are proud of our armed forces for successfully flushing out terrorists from their hideouts and stamping out the menace of terrorism in the region paving way for complete restoration of peace in the country, a pre-requisite for economic growth and development in the country”. FPCCI President Zubair Tufail, SVP Aamir Atta Bajwaja, VP and Regional Chairman Punjab Manzoor Ul Haq Malik, former federation chief Rauf Alam, Diplomatic Committee Chairman Malik Suhail Hussain and score of others regional trade leaders were also present on the occasion.
He said that business community expressed their satisfaction on the commitment and determination of the army chief for attaching top priority to security to strengthen the national economy and his guidelines will give impetus to accelerate the pace of economic growth. He said that conspiracies hatched by foreign elements would be fizzled out adding that with the grace of Allah Almighty the country would emerge strongest in the comity of nations. He lauded the services of armed forces personnel who sacrificed their lives while fighting with terrorists. “In the prevailing critical situation, we should stand united as a nation to brave internal and external challenges,” he added.
He greeted the ISPR for successfully organising a good seminar on “Interplay of Economy and Security” jointly organised by Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He said that tremendous sacrifices of armed forces have started yielding a positive impact on national economy and foreign investors once again pouring in different sectors. He said that now the economy is picking up gradually after the restoration of peace and security. He said that political stability without any vibration and peace are pre-requisites for a compatible economy. CPEC, a mega project will also contribute towards accelerating the economic activities not only in Pakistan but also in the region. He said that now it is a high time to ensure business friendly and growth-oriented environment for boosting export and rapid industrialisation to meet the future challenges.
Zubair Tufail stressed the need for taking full benefits of modern hybrid techniques in the agriculture sector with the co-operation of China for a bumper crop and better yield and strengthening of the wealth of livestock besides fully exploiting the potential of tourism especially in hilly areas which can help earn foreign exchange. He said that “we should stop banking on foreign loans which he added has become a major burden on our economy” and we should utilise the indigenous resources effectively.
Aamir Atta Bajwa said that US President Donald Trump should adopt realistic approach towards ground realities in the region and sacrifices of Pakistan for the war on terror and durable peace is not possible in Afghanistan without the participation of Pakistan. He said the US in return should give market access to Pak products to strengthen its national economy which pocketed heavy loss in the wake of terror. He said that the US also promised, “reconstruction of economic zones” in Pakistan which is still awaited.
Rauf Alam said that efforts should be made to check “Brain Drain” on priority and make sincere efforts for the alleviation of abject poverty in the country through green revolution and industrialisation. He said that in prevailing scenario worldwide, the survival of any country is exclusively depended on a sound economy and hence we should focus on it on war footings.
He suggested that leaders of private sectors and stakeholders must be taken into confidence before finalisation of economic policies and made part of the process of policy decision making in all sectors.
