KARACHI: Chairman AKD Group and renowned businessman Aqeel Karim Dhedhi said Prime Minister Imran Khan, after assuming the charge, is taking right measures for strengthening the economy of the country.
Talking with Customs Today, he said that the economic condition of the country will gradually improve in the near future as Prime Minister Imran Khan is striving hard to put the economy on right track. In the current situation, the government successfully negotiated a bailout package with Saudi Arabia, while China and the United Arab Emirates also showed keen interest to assist Pakistan to strengthen its economic condition.
Aqeel Karim Dhedhi predicted that current account deficit will start decreasing from next year and the import bill will be curtailed to $52-53 billion next year. Country’s exports will touch the mark of $27-28 billion in a year, he said, adding that the government is getting $2 billion remittances monthly which will increase to $21 or $22 billion annually, showing positive signs for economic progress.
Aqeel Karim advised the government not take any dictation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), adding that the Fund after two to three months will itself witness this improvement in Pakistani economy. He hailed the government decision to approach friendly countries for an economic package which will prove to be a hallmark for economic stability.
He said the government needs to take the business community on board while finalizing its economic policies. He assured that business community will play its due role for strengthening the national economy and ‘we are now out of the danger of default’.
He advised the government to apprise the IMF about its achievements including those policies adopted to increase the exports and remittances, and about the measures taken to decrease country’s imports, adding that the Fund is unaware about ground realities of Pakistan.
He appealed to the government and opposition parties not to indulge in a war of words as ‘this is the best time to get united for the betterment of our future generations’. He said, in December, country’s economic figures will convince the IMF to review its decision and finalize the economic package in the light of our economic recovery.
He said current situation demands unity because the United States is pressurizing the IMF to put tough conditions on Pakistan. This is the first time in our history that our prime minister gave a befitting reply to American president Donald Trump, he added.
Aqeel Kareem said our economy will be strengthened in near future but we have to focus on devising comprehensive economic policies without taking care of any outside pressure.
Introduction:
Aqeel Karim Dhedhi, born 18th July, 1957, is a Pakistani businessman, philanthropist and Chairman of the AKD Group. The umbrella of AKD Group includes Financial Services, Real Estate, Telecom, Infrastructure and Natural Resources. Dhedhi was awarded the “Sitara-e-Esaar” by the then president Gen. Pervez Musharraf for his services during the devastating earthquake that hit the northern areas of Pakistan in October 2005. He has also been awarded honorary PhD (Honoris Cause) degrees by private institutes like Biztek Institute of Higher Education and the Indus Institute of Higher Education.
Dhedhi is involved with groups including community based assistance, health services, leadership development of deserving younger generation, and women empowerment. He is a trustee and member of the Board of Directors of the Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital; the Indus Hospital; World Memon Organization and the Resource Development Committee of Agha Khan University Hospital. He also takes interest in health services, women empowerment, leadership development of young generation and community based assistance.
