Site Association of Industry (SAI) Chairman M Nisar Shekhani has welcomed the proposed steps enumerated in the speech delivered by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Friday on the electronic media. In a statement he said those were the real issues need to be addressed to make economically strong Pakistan and eliminate poverty from the country through greater employment.
He said the speech of the Prime Minister was strikingly different in the sense it was devoid of cosmetic political rhetoric and, as such, it conveyed a sense of purpose and sincerity in what he had to say.
The Prime Minister in a sense had given a blue print of the actions and plans he wished to implement in the immediate near future, he added. He said Shaukat Aziz had been realistic in assessing the ground realities and identifying the strength and weaknesses of the country.
The economic strength of Pakistan laid in the further development of value-added textile, agriculture, SMEs, information technology, housing & construction and energy projects. Employing opportunities would naturally emanate from these, he added. The worrisome law and order situation and absence of speedy justice in the country that had been major deterrents in attracting foreign investments; those had also been given due priority by the Prime Minister. In that context, the concept of setting up of courts to adjudicate in commercial matters was a welcome step in the right direction and it would definitely reduce current burden on judiciary, he stated.
He said the most notable feature of Prime Minister's speech was that Pakistan finally liberated from the dictates of IMF. It was noteworthy Pakistan had declined "with thanks" the last two instalments of the International Monetary Fund loan. The future of our posterity had at-least been secured.
Appreciating the provision of Rs 6 billion for financing small and medium industries, Nisar Shekhani lauded the scheme and hoped it would be disbursed fairly and equitably in order to promote harmony and mutual understanding between the provinces and federation.