LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) President Abdul Basit and Member National Assembly Muhammad Pervez Malik on Monday had a two-hour long meeting and discussed a number of important issues including China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), political instability, Pakistan’s external trade, economic challenges and concerns of business community. Former LCCI Presidents Sheikh Muhammad Asif, Mian Misbah-ur-Rehman and former Vice President Nasir Saeed were also present on the occasion.
Pervez Malik said that business community is the power house for economic growth and government is making all out efforts to provide them business friendly environment. He said that it is a proven fact that no country can move ahead without active role of the business community. He said that the elements, which are creating political anarchy, want to derail the country and want to sabotage good impacts of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. He said that government gives weight to the LCCI proposals.
The LCCI President Abdul Basit said that good partnership between the government and the private sector could ensure long term and strong economic development. He said that early resolution of the issues being faced by the business community would help trust building. He said that business community is in deep trouble because of attachment of business bank accounts, undue intervention of different departments in the business activities and miuse of powers by the officials.
He said that business community is worried because of political instability and threats of protests. He demanded of all the political parties to show maturity and should resolve their issues through parliament as politics of agitation is pushing national economy to the wall.
“Due to political unrest trade and economic activities are sinking therefore the business community appeals the protestors to stay away from such politics.”
Abdul Basit said that country that in the past, dharnas and so called azadi march had caused irreparable loss to the national economy but some political circles are not ready to lean the lesson and trying to aggravate the situation.
He said that the country was facing a huge economic loss only because wrong statements and irrational attitude of political players.
He said that a week of stalled economic activity costs the country $ 500 million or $2 billion per month and a weak economy like Pakistan cannot afford to lose even one million dollar loss to exports.
He said that at a time when Pakistan Armed Forces are busy in operation clean up and country is facing severe internal and external challenges, the situation is bound to affect the national interests.
The LCCI President said that such activities would not only tarnish the image of the country in the eyes of international community but would also hinder economic growth.
He said that the leadership of all political parties should join hands for strengthening the economy instead of hatching conspiracies against the Government for their vested interests.
He said that the political leaders should settle issues in Parliament, which is a democratic, and the just forum for this purpose instead of disturbing the business activities and public life through holding sit-ins and rallies.
