President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF), President All Karachi Industrial Alliance (AKIA), Senior Vice Chairman of the Businessmen Panel of FPCCI and former provincial minister, Mian Zahid Hussain on Friday lauded Prime Minister Imran Khan’s speech on Kashmir crisis. The PM’s speech was according to the aspirations of people of Pakistan and Kashmir while the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) statement in which he has reassured to standby Kashmir has boosted the morale of people and put rumours to the rest, he said.
Mian Zahid Hussain said that civilian and military leaders are on the same page on Kashmir issue, people are protesting Indian move inside India, in the UK and other countries, while Black Day has sent a very positive signal.
Talking to the business community, the veteran business leader India is facing unprecedented diplomatic humiliation which is a victory for Pakistan.
The former minister noted that Modi’s move has initiated the process of disintegration of a divided country while tensions with Pakistan will destroy its economy and credibility.
He warned that depriving Pakistan of its share of water will be the last mistake of Hindu radicals who have changed secular India into an extremist state.
The business leader said that atrocities against Muslims have also raised concerns among other minorities in India which is home to 25 crore Dalits, 20 crore Muslims, six crore Buddhists, three crore Christians, 2.77 crore Sikhs, and 4.2 million followers of Jainism who are enough to wipe India off the face of earth.
He said that the caste system and increasing the gulf between rich and poor is shaking foundations of India as hundreds of thousands of farmers have committed suicide, one percent have 58.4 percent wealth while ten percent enjoys control over 80.7 percent resources.
The business leader said that butcher of Gujrat is destroying India and world’s peace, his moves have frustrated bringing a bad name to India while people of Kashmir has started a decisive war against oppression which will result in victory. He said that Indian people and forces are demoralized while the morale of people and armed forces of Pakistan is touching skies. Our operational capability is intact and there is no comparison between the armies of Pakistan and India, he warned.
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Mian Zahid lauds govt intentions, successes in one year period
President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF), President All Karachi Industrial Alliance (AKIA), Senior Vice Chairman of the Businessmen Panel of FPCCI and former provincial minister, Mian Zahid Hussain on Monday said government’s one-year performance remained a mixed bag of achievements and failures.
The government remained successful on political and diplomatic front, relations with Arab countries improved, issue of Kashmir was highlighted internationally, while Pak-US relations witnessed some improvement, he said. Mian Zahid Hussain also said that the government took many unpopular decisions and tensions between the civilian government and army vanished which sent a positive signal.
Talking to the business community, the veteran business leader said that the government stayed clear of any big corruption scandal reinforcing the notion that their intentions are good.
The former minister noted that the planning remained weak while it took controversial anti-corruption steps which will discourage corruption in politics and other sectors which is important for national development. Political friction has increased while the foreign policy remained a success, integration of FATA, austerity, steps for poverty reduction, shelter for homeless and tree plantation drives are laudable steps, he added.
Tourism was promoted, visa restrictions were relaxed which may result in investment while the decision to open Kartarpur border will improve relations with the Sikh community and result in foreign exchange earnings. He said that the government is trying to revamp taxation system which will help Pakistan become self-sufficient therefore traders should cooperate with the government. Exports and deficit dwindled during last one year, inflation remained out of control, the developmental budget was increased by Rs 400 billion, Pakistan Post and PTV jumped to profit, PIA is improving but bleeding enterprises could not be sold. The culture of tax evasion was discouraged resulting in one million additional filers and the financial crisis was tamed necessitating steps to provide relief to the poor, middle class and come up to the expectations of the business community, he demanded.
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PBIF supports the decision to extend tenure of army chief
President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF), President All Karachi Industrial Alliance (AKIA), Senior Vice Chairman of the Businessmen Panel of FPCCI and former provincial minister, Mian Zahid Hussain on Wednesday lauded the decision of the Prime Minister Imran Khan to extend the tenure of COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa. “The move has been welcomed by the patriotic elements while it has disappointed enemies of the country as it is seen as recognition of the policies and services of COAS,” he said.
Mian Zahid Hussain said that the decision reflects the importance of COAS amid serious regional situation while it will also ensure sustainable security while contributing to stability as he believes in strengthening the democratic process.
Talking to the business community, the veteran business leader said that Pakistan is in the middle of a serious security crisis while internal and external threats have compounded for which Gen Bajwa was the best choice.
The former minister noted that situation in the eastern and western borders is not good, conditions in Kashmir are deteriorating, India is against Kartarpur corridor and it cannot see Pakistan taking centre stage in the Afghan peace process. Gen Bajwa has a very crucial role as the Army chief and it is hoped that the extension would serve the country’s interests; he said adding that he has ensured aid worth billions from friendly countries and assisted PM during the recent visit to the US.
He said that Gen Bajwa initiated successful Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad and developed a very effective approach with regards to terrorism, Afghanistan, India, Iran, and Kashmir which was a major factor in giving him a full-term extension which is in the best institutional interest of the army.
At a time when the US is holding dialogue with the Afghan Taliban, the US troops are planning to leave Afghanistan, US elections are also nearing while Pakistan is locked in pitched battles with Indian Army and facing FATF conditions which were also issues that had an impact on the decision, he said. General Bajwa’s extension will add to the morale and prestige of the Pakistan Army while those opposing it are unaware of the true intentions of India and the ground realities.
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Govt efforts to reduce deficit succeeding: Mian Zahid Hussain
President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF), President All Karachi Industrial Alliance (AKIA), Senior Vice Chairman of the Businessmen Panel of FPCCI and former provincial minister, Mian Zahid Hussain on Friday said efforts of the government to reduce current account deficit are succeeding.
The government decisions have been pushing economy towards stability but reducing exports are not enough as increasing exports can ensure sustained stability, he said.
Mian Zahid Hussain said that current account deficit is going down after a long time which is also good for forex reserves which have remained under pressure for a long time.
Talking to the business community, the veteran business leader said that the government is trying to contain deficit by discouraging imports and increasing discount rates which is a temporary solution.
The deficit reduced by 73 percent to $579 million in July which was $2.13 billion during the corresponding period which will improve the confidence level of the business .
The former minister noted that reduced price of oil in the international market, reduced LNG imports, compact machinery imports for CPEC and drop in edible oil as well as transport group imports have also played a role.
He said that overall contraction in the economy has also helped the government reduce the deficit while high interest rate has reduced demand.
Exchange rate erosion has not helped boost exports as the cost of doing business remain high due to stuck up refunds and high energy prices, he said, adding that remittances are also stagnant which should be noticed.
He said that the government should establish sector-specific companies to boost exports as reduced imports is not a sustainable solution to tame the deficit.