Diplomats based in Karachi have shown mixed reaction towards the imposition of emergency and political changes under the provisional constitutional order and evaluated the situation as 'discouraging for foreign investment'.
A large number of diplomats had gathered at a dinner hosted by Farrukh Ansari, managing director and chief executive officer of Ijara Financing, at a local hotel for the Consul General of Oman, Khamis Mohammad Abdullah Al Farsi, Consul-General of Sri Lanka V S Sidhat Kumar, Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh Saquib Ali, and a few Honorary Consuls -general and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Generally, there was criticism from the diplomats of the European countries who said they saw the decision as 'prompted from abroad'. They seemed to be of the view that the action has discouraged foreign investors and, many of them, despite commitment, would not come to Pakistan.
One diplomat said that he had worked hard for three years to create understanding between the business community of his country and of Pakistan. In the process, he said, he had been explaining Pakistan government's policies on trade, commerce, banking and investment to his government vis-à-vis members of the business community.
With a saddened heart, he said, his entire efforts of the past three years had been wasted with this action. Diplomats said that regaining of the lost confidence would take time and, probably, "it would be done by their successors".
Some of the diplomats were frank in pointing their finger at the United States and criticised its policies in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan--and toward Iran--and doubted the outcome of the situation the way it had been desired.
They had all praise for Iran and its president who "lives in a modest flat and owns a 30-year old car". "He is a role model, and should be emulated by others" said one European diplomat.
Diplomats said that Pakistan should study its situation and, independent of any 'foreign interference', draw its own strategy to restore democracy, give independence to judiciary, and grant freedom to media.
In their opinion, Pakistan has already lost many of its potential investors scheduled to visit Pakistan from November to January. They are not likely to come to Pakistan in near future, they said, and added that if the investment is not safe and the return on investment is under threat, who would make investment?
In their estimation, Pakistan's political leaders would have to accept "great amount of responsibility" for the worsening political and law and order situation in the country.
Earlier, speaking on 'Role of Diplomats in Globalisation', CG of Oman Khamis Mohammad Abdullah Al Farsi, CG of Sri Lanka V S Sidhat Kumar, Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh Saquid Ali, Honorary CG of Yemen Mirza Ishtiaq Baig, Deputy Chief of Protocol Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chief of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affair Ahmed Nazi Hussein, said that economic and commercial diplomacy has replaced political diplomacy as a result of globalisation.
In their opinion, nations will have to adjust their priorities accordingly, and ensure better trade and commerce relation among themselves. In the process, it is also necessary to see that globalisation does not widen the existing gap between the poor and rich nations and, under the sway of globalisation, 'frenzy' developed countries do not dominate underdeveloped countries.
They said that the process of globalisation would be through advancement in information technology, use of technical skill and judicious exploitation of resources.
Some speakers expressed feared that globalisation would make the rich richer and the poor poorer. They proposed to develop a mechanism to safeguard the interests of poor nations and to create conditions for them to catch up with the advancement in trade and commerce activities. Farrukh Ansari presented the address of welcome. Besides more than 20 members from different consulates, there were leading business executives, industrialists and bankers who attended the dinner.
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