Pakistan Business Council (PBC) Chief Executive Kamran Mirza told The Express Tribune that despite differences between the two leading political parties, he is hopeful that all the major parties will keep collaborating on economic agenda.
“We recently met with four leading political parties of the country as well as President Asif Ali Zardari and presented our point of view to them. They also want to go ahead on the economic agenda,” he said.
“We feel that all the major parties are sensitive about economic issues of the country. Their feedback is encouraging and we are hopeful things will improve in the months to come,” he said.
“PBC is a non-political association of professionals and we feel that no single political party can help resolve our economic woes, and all parties are cognisant of this fact. We wish to see economic issues settled amicably,” he said.
Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Vice President Khalid Tawab said the government has not given due importance to the economy over the last three years.
Pakistan is going through tough times, factories are closing down, unemployment is increasing and the country cannot afford political instability, he said, while referring to the political differences between Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.
“We have suggested to the government to call a conference on the current economic situation of the country,” he added.
Site Association of Trade and Industry Chairman Wahab Lakhani said that politics and economy are two separate things that should not be seen through one eye. Political parties should shun their differences when it comes to the economy, he stressed.
Meanwhile, Korangi Association of Trade and Industry Chairman Johar Ali Qandhari said that no industrialist would expand his business if political instability continues in the country.
Federal B Area Association of Trade and Industry Chairman Muhammad Irfan said, “We are business people and want political stability at any cost.” Political parties should use the forum of National Assembly to discuss their differences, he said.
Law and order and security are the biggest problems and without overcoming these, no investment will come and unemployment will continue to increase, he stressed.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 26th, 2011.
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