ISLAMABAD: Unlike the previous government’s economic team which remained Lahore-centric, the new team formed by Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) and headed by Finance Minister Asad Umar will primarily be from Karachi.
Apart from the finance minister, Advisor to Prime Minister on Commerce, Textile, Industry and Production and Investment Abdul Razzaq Dawood, Adviser to PM on Institutional Reforms and Austerity, Dr Ishrat Husain, the appointments of heads in key financial institutions are also expected to be from Karachi, the economic hub of the country, sources informed Pakistan Today.
“Prominent businessmen Aqeel Karim Dhedi and Abdul Razzaq Dawood, renowned tax expert Shabbar Zaidi, renowned businessman Arif Habib and other members of Pakistan Business Council (PBC) will be guiding or supporting the economic team of the new government as the Finance Minister Asad Umar enjoys good ties with them,” the sources claimed, adding that Aqeel Karim Dhedhi (AKD), stock market tycoon and Abdul Razzaq Dawood have already held a meeting with Imran Khan (now Prime Minister) on August 12 at Bani Gala.
“These prominent figures in the business sector may suggest the names for important positions of Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Chairman Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), President National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and other institutions as the new government will be replacing the existing heads appointed by former government of PML-N,” insiders said adding that a former office bearer of Engro, where Asad Umar served as Chief Executive Officer, is likely to be appointed head of FBR.
As per an economist, though the economic team guided by these prominent businessmen may perform well, however, it should be more careful as some of them also have a negative reputation in the business sector. Besides, being associated with their personal businesses, there should not be a conflict of interest in the affairs of public sector financial institutions.
“Asad Umar probably wants his trusted advisers in the corporate world to be part the economic team and its supporters. He has apparently realised the fact that currency stabilisation is not possible without the help and cooperation of these business tycoons. Businessmen like Aqeel Karim Dhedhi and Arif Habib would be interested in their influence in affairs of SECP,” said a renowned economist on terms of anonymity, adding that the finance ministry will also be in need of support from brokerage houses owned by these people for marketing the already planned diaspora bonds.
Previously, governments have been consulting the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), other chambers of commerce, and trade associations etc to form economic policies, but this time, the Pakistan Business Council (PBC), a business policy advocacy platform established in 2005 by 14 of Pakistan’s (now 68) largest private-sector businesses/conglomerates, including multinationals, is likely to be more influential in policy-making, sources claimed. As compared to FPCCI and others chambers, PBC is considered as a more serious, focused and effective forum to consult for making policy and regulations.
PBC has recently sent a letter to Finance Minister Asad Umar, suggesting him take 20 major initiatives to improve the economic situation of the country. It stressed on the new minister, a former chairman of PBC, to unite the country behind a focused ‘Make in Pakistan’ drive in order to improve the economy. The PBC has also advised Umar to go for a well-structured programme of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over short-term measures to tie over the crisis. Otherwise, it urged to bring in a much-needed sense of discipline and rigour to public economic management.
Better then best idea….
While appreciating the efforts undertaken by the PTI Finance Minister Asad Umer for forming a competent and balanced economic team for sailing the affairs of Pakistan economy, equally and urgently required is to take up steps for reviving the industry/allied sectors by identifying viable projects and inviting foreign investors including overseas Pakistanis to take up such ventures for fighting the menace of unemployment/poverty at grass root level, in sectors including construction, transport,auto, energy, tourism etc. On transport front, govt should allow, exclusively, the private sector to import double decker busees, new as well as reconditioned, for karachi and other principal cities by offering incentives like zero custom duty, other taxes to give immediate relief to public with zero costing to govt. m.aslam ch
Humble Suggestion:
A prominent name of highly educated, wellknown and very experienced/energetic personality of Mr. Rafiq Rangoonwala,
Ex- CEO of KFC in Pakistan May be considered by the Finance Minister,
Mr. Asad Umer, for The Economic Team.
There are high expectations from Asad Umar. Let’s see if he delivers.
Some suggestions:-
1) To inject the investment of the performing productive project which pay back at the earliest.
2) Vocational and Technical institution should be built-up for training at grass root level.
3) Public private partnership immediately started.
4) Invest in those project which create multiply implications on economy.
5) need to move alternative energy generation, attract BOT and BOO basis project.
6) Announce comprehensive invest plan for overseas Pakistani to built-up their share in homeland
I would like to make a humble suggestion regarding the Finance and economic team that the Honourable Finance Minister of Pakistan should consider. The economic team must be a balanced team consisting of
Economist, Taxation expert, Senior banker with good international exposure, seasoned corporate consultant and someone good from the Agriculture sector and some senior person who has been associated with The State Bank of Pakistan. In my opinion all these expertise put together with sincerity towards the country and the nation could pool the resource of their technical knowledge and expertise to form a formidable think tank for the country.
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