Daily Times

The world is facing an unprecedented challenge, a pandemic in an age when cross-border interaction, frequent travel and social engagement are the norm. As the COVID-19 contagion has spread across borders and reached all but the most isolated of locations, the Government and the people of Pakistan are doing their best to cope with the demands on the health sector and the needs of the vulnerable.

Prioritising lives over business, industrial units and businesses have remained closed and layoffs were expected. At this time, Mian Kashif Ashfaq, Chairman Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company (FIEDMC), brought together many of his peers to convince them that no workers be laid off and that they continue to receive their wages. FIEDMC also contributed Rs. 10 million to the Prime Minister’s COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Fund.

In his personal capacity, Mian Kashif Ashfaq gave one million rupees to relief efforts and collected additional funds from friends and family to support 3,000 households with essentials. At a time when millions are out of work and there is a global recession, he said, “It is essential for each one of us to do what we can to support who we can. Charity has always been a hallmark of the blessed month of Ramadan, and this year we must give more so that no Pakistani sleeps hungry.”

He lauded the Government for thinking of the future and in taking steps to jumpstart the economy once the pandemic recedes, particularly the decision to incentivise the construction industry. The industry employs a substantial number of people and with facilitation would be able to create more jobs for the vulnerable.

Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated the Allama Iqbal Industrial City, a special economic zone under CPEC at the start of the year and there had been commitments and interest from businesses around the world, and especially from China, to bring their operations to Pakistan. Industrialists had expressed their willingness to bring investments to the FIEDMC developed SEZ. The pandemic has slowed down the development and uptake of the SEZ but support to the construction industry will help FIEDMC and the economy to recover from the recession.

As the COVID-19 crisis continues to unfold, the entire world is feeling the impact. It is only when societies come together to manage and mitigate the effects, will they survive and flourish. While the Government must prioritise public health, business leaders like Mian Kashif must help keep the poorest and most vulnerable people stable.