National Economic Agenda 2010-30: peace must for economic growth, says Fazlur Rehman

The Jamait-e-Ulema Islam (JUI) Chief, Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that Pakistan's economic salvation lies in its economic strength that could be achieved only through unity among the political and economic forces and peace was a prerequisite to make progress and prosperity.
While speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Saturday, he urged the government to reset its priorities and review its policies to achieve these goals. Pakistan needs to take steps to create the world community's economic interest in Pakistan, which in turn would help promote local and foreign investment. Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that there was a dire need to review the foreign policy of the country.
He said that the violation of Human Rights is one of the root causes of instability and bad law and order and we would have to focus on it so that everybody could be able to do business with peace of mind.
No country in the world could move forward in the absence of peace and tranquillity. The system that ensures protection of life and property can bring peace and stability in the country. Even the non-Muslim countries, which ensure protection of human rights, are enjoying political stability and prosperity, he said.
Maulana, who spoke at length on the LCCI plan to evolve National Economic Agenda 2010-30 in consultation with all the political forces in the country, said that global situation today was altogether different and only economically developed countries could sustain in the world.
He cited the example of Russia that was once an atomic super power but today it had vanished from the world map only because of lack of economic strength. He said that despite having a very strong defence, China was utilising all its energies on attaining the status of an economic super power and avoiding use of force against Taiwan.
Despite of our genuine stance on Kashmir, the world community is not supporting Pakistan and give priority to India just because of its economic stability, he added. He said that if the United States prolonged war in Afghanistan, it would face the music at economic front. An economically weak US would ultimately lose its influence in the world, he added.
Maulan Fazlur Rehman said that it was very discouraging that no appointment could take place in the country's financial institutions such as State Bank of Pakistan and bourses without the consent of the international financial institutions like IMF and World Bank.
He was of the view that a number of political and economic organisations have been established internationally to keep the developing countries under control. No under developed country can enforce its own law or constitutions, which confront with the charter of these organisations. Similarly, the international financial institutions dictate their policies, term and conditions to the developing countries.
The countries, which try to disassociate themselves from such organisations, have to suffer a lot, he added. He said that JUI would extend every possible help and support to the LCCI in finalisation of National Economic Agenda 2010-30.
He also appreciated the LCCI for announcing the formation of Halal Board and launching Pakistan Water Front. Speaking on the occasion, LCCI President Zafar Iqbal Chaudhry said that the LCCI was taking all the political parties and leading economists onboard to have National Economic Agenda 2010-30 that would be independent of the political force running the country, as the business community suffers the most whenever the change of government takes place in the country.
Giving a detailed briefing on National Economic Agenda 2010-30, he said that it was aimed at utilising the natural resource base of Pakistan for value addition and developing industries in an improved environment of doing business. He said that National Economic Agenda 2010-30 would not only be taking care of trade and industry but it would also cover agriculture, livestock and poultry, mining, seaport and tourism.
Zafar Iqbal Chaudhry said a special focus would be given to managing the ongoing water crisis, bringing more area under cultivation, development of seed, pesticides, access and provision of fertilisers, types of crops to be harvested, means of harvest/mechanisation, managing higher yield, farmer access to the market, development of finished goods and by-products, development of agro-based industry for exports especially finished goods, tinned food, medicines, ready to wear garments both wool and cotton etc.
The LCCI President said that the provision of human resource that is educated and skilled is imperative to put the country on path to progress and a set of proposals would also be incorporated in the National Economic Agenda 2010-30. Federal Minister for Science and Technology Azam Khan Swati and Federal Minister for Housing Rehmatullah Kakar also spoke on the occasion and announced their support to the LCCI at every forum.