Daily Times

The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Tuesday said Prime Minister Imran Khan’s first address to the nation after being elected the country’s new premier has won hearts and minds of the nation.

The speech has energised and motivated the entire business community of the country which will trigger economic activities and investment, it said.

In a joint statement issued here today, President FPCCI Ghazanfar Bilour, VP FPCCI Karim Aziz Malik, Chairman Coordination Malik Sohail, Atif Ikram Sheikh and Jaweed Iqbal said that the new premier promised wide-ranging reforms, safeguard Pakistan’s resources and redistribute them from the rich to the disadvantaged which is laudable.

The business leaders said that the PM Khan has promised that instead of trying to rebuild the economy via external loans, his government will try and fulfil its needs from within as no country can succeed by taking on debt.

They offered unconditional support to the agenda of the new government which include measures to cut down on expenses, tax reforms instead of loans, eradication of poverty, motivating overseas Pakistanis, rooting out corruption, revamping the judiciary, applying the KP police model in Punjab, educational, healthcare and civil service reforms, and building dams.

The also lauded the decision of PM Khan regarding devolution of power and plan to provide jobs to youth, a new housing project and a boost to the industrial sector.

Environmental issues, compassion for the underprivileged and following Madina’s model to rid Pakistan of its chronic problems were dubbed as highly laudable vows.

While lauding new finance minister Asad Umar and other members of Khan’s dedicated team, VP FPCCI Karim Aziz Malik said retail sector should be taxed, expats should be encouraged to send money through banking channels by offering relaxations, state-run corporations should be sold, FBR and other institutions should be monitored, and diplomats should be given export targets.

He said that the government should cut indirect taxes, strengthen institutions, reduce trade deficit with China and bring back the stolen funds as soon as possible which will discourage corruption in future.

Published in Daily Times, August 22^nd 2018.