'Good governance vital for revival of country's economy'

Jamaat-i-Islami Ameer, Syed Munawar Hasan has said transparency and good governance are very important for the revival of country's economy, progress and prosperity. He was speaking at a meeting held in connection with the Lahore Chambers of Commerce and Industry's National Economic Agenda 2010-30. The meeting was organised by the LCCI here on Thursday.
The Jamaat Ameer said that if the framework given by the Jamaat-i-Islami was implemented in letter and spirit the country would not only have self-sufficiency in all fields but it would be standing prominent in the comity of nations. While stressing the need for redefining of the meaning of development, he said the government would have to focus on the welfare of masses.
There is a dire need to work simultaneously in five areas including social, administrative, economic and strategic. He said that the private sector's role has prime importance to improve the social infrastructure in the country. However, to maximise the involvement of the private sector in national policy making, special initiatives should be taken.
He also called for a tailor-made strategy to expedite equity circulation, increase investment and enhance exports to give boost to the economic activities in the country. He said that they would have to promote the culture of research and development to get the benefit of most modern techniques in vogue and to enhance the productivity. The burden of foreign loans on the country had risen by US $15 billion during the last two years and the development budget had been slashed by 45 percent but no relief had been provided to the common man, he asserted.
He accused the federal government for negligence regarding India's persistent water aggression against Pakistan. He said that Jamaat-i-Islami would extend every possible help and support to the LCCI in finalising of National Economic Agenda 2010-30.
Speaking on the occasion, LCCI Vice President Faisal Iqbal Sheikh said 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 suffered the most whenever the government changes in the country.
He said that National Economic Agenda 2010-30 would not only consider issues related to trade and industry but it would also cover agriculture, livestock and poultry, mining, seaport and tourism sectors.
Sheikh said special focus would be given to bringing more area under cultivation. A set of proposals would also be incorporated in the National Economic Agenda 2010-30, he said. The LCCI Vice President Faisal Iqbal Sheikh, former President Mian Anjum Nisar, JI Secretary General Liaquat Baloch and Dr Farid Ahmad Piracha also spoke on the occasion.