Usually a well-prepared orator, this time around Khan did not have much to say to please his audience. PHOTO: APP
Rising up to a daunting challenge, Federal Minister of Commerce Khurram Dastgir Khan spent Thursday night in front of a gruelling audience, which raised critical questions about the economic progress of the country.
The interactive session was held in Marriott Hotel where diplomats and notable business people had gathered to listen to him.
Usually a well-prepared orator, this time around Khan did not have much to say to please his audience.
The interactive session on ‘Prime Minister’s Vision 2025’ was organised by leading business councils and forums from Germany, Italy, South Korea, Australia, France, Belgium, Russia and Sri Lanka.
The minister started his talk with the focus on an inclusive economic growth in the Prime Minister’s Vision 2025 and how gradually social justice and equality will provide new opportunities to every Pakistani in coming years.
“We are very clear about the two threats: extremism and energy. We know that without overcoming these two problems Pakistan cannot move forward,” Khan said, while listing down the priorities of his government.
He said his government has already started taking strict measures against extremism and terrorism in the aftermath of the Peshawar school attack during which over 140 people were killed. “No matter what they say to justify their act, the Peshawar school attack was a terrible tragedy,” he said.
On tackling the energy crisis, he said gas shortages will on the very least decrease from April this year after the import of LNG into the country. But, he added, his government will need another 18-24 months to show marked improvement in energy supplies.
While mentioning the successes of his government, he said Pakistan has already earned $1.08 billion in exports to the EU in the first 10 months (Jan-Oct) of 2014.
“The sceptics of the GSP Plus scheme must see what our exporters have achieved with their hard work despite severe energy shortages and security issues in the country,” said Khan firmly. “The sceptics should change their mind and see how they can contribute to support growth and exports of the country.”
He thanked the European partners for all their support in getting the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) Plus scheme from the European Union.
While asking the support of private sector for the ongoing privatisation drive, he said his government would continue to move ahead on privatisation and liberalisation.
The minister did accept that there are huge structural issues that are hindering the growth of the country. “The people of Pakistan have demonstrated that they want to grow... Now we have to step up and change our thought process to move ahead,” he added.
Speakers from the business community highlighted different issues like low tax collection, security problems, red tape, slow reforms and other major problems that the country has been facing for decades.
However, Khan did not specifically answer the questions from the businessmen as to why there has been no progress on restructuring the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2015.
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