PM says allies to shape election decisions

Shehbaz assures businessmen of govt’s support in formulating extensive export policy

KARACHI:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said all important decisions regarding the upcoming general elections, including the census issue, would be taken in consultation with the allied parties in the coalition.

During a visit to the metropolis, the prime minister said that the national economy had been put on the path to progress, assuring the federal government’s all-out support for formulation of an extensive export policy.

During the visit, Shehbaz met delegations of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and the Pakistan Business Council (PBC), besides, addressing the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Export Trophy Awards ceremony.

The MQM-P delegation, led by party Convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, included senior deputy convenors Syed Mustafa Kamal and Dr Farooq Sattar as well as Sindh Governor Kamran Tesori.

During the meeting at the Governor House, the overall political and economic situation of the country and various other matters of bilateral interest, including the upcoming general elections, were discussed, according to a statement.

The prime minister assured the MQM-P, a major ally of the coalition government, of taking it along on all important matters, and the decision about the conduct of the general elections.

On the contentious issue whether the elections should be held on the basis of 2017 census or the digital census held earlier this this year, Shehbaz reiterated that no decision had been taken yet in this regard.

The prime minister assured the MQM that decision about holding the election on new or old census would be taken in consultation with the allied parties in the ruling coalition, the statement said.

The MQM-P delegation raised the issues of electricity load-shedding, inflated bills, and price hike. The MQM-P leadership stated that the citizens of Karachi did not get electricity but only the inflated bills.

The prime minister instructed Power Minister Khurram Dastgir, who was present in the meeting, to take up the issue of load-shedding and inflated bills with the Karachi-Electric officials.

In a separate meeting with the PBC delegation, the prime minister said that because of the collective efforts of the coalition parties, the economy had been put on the path to progress as the risk of default had been averted.

“The government is keen to revive the national economy through investment facilitation and business-friendly policies. Restoring confidence of investors and the business community is the greatest achievement,” he said.

Shehbaz mentioned the establishment of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country.

He lauded the contribution of the business community in the country’s progress.
Later, addressing the KCCI Export Trophy Awards ceremony, the prime minister stressed the need for formulation of a comprehensive export policy.

He emphasised that quality exports must be competitive in the global markets.
“Pakistan needs to set up industries and utilise modern techniques to boost its exports to the global market,” he said.

He assured that the federal government would facilitate the business community.
Shehbaz called for serious deliberations to evaluate the factors, including the successes, failures of the past governments, lack of modern techniques, the issues facing by the industrial sector etc.

“There should be a frank discussion as to how the challenges facing the industry can be mitigated by the government by facilitating them,” he said.

He stressed setting up such industries that could take the country on path to rapid progress.

“Pakistan is blessed with natural resources and brilliant minds, but it cannot take its due place among the comity of nations if it keeps on promoting rental businesses,” he said.

He felicitated the trade community and exporters for showing success in the export sector.

Earlier, the prime minister distributed prizes and medals among prominent exporters.

(WITH INPUT FROM APP)