President Asif Ali Zardari has constituted a committee of ministers and parliamentarians to look into the problems of small traders/businessmen of twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi to give recommendations to the government for addressing the problems faced by the traders.
According to statement, the committee comprises Interior Minister, Rehman Malik, Minister for Industries, Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo, Senator Nayyar Hussain Bokhari, Senator Babar Awan and Senator Faisal Raza Abidi. The President also advised the committee to give proposals for providing cheap loans to the small traders and also suggested their implementation methodology, so that the facility is not misused in the name of financial assistance to small traders.
The committee should also examine the demand of the trading community for building a housing colony for them and legislation to regulate rent, the President said.
The President made these announcements during a meeting with a delegation comprising small businessmen/traders of Islamabad and Rawalpindi who called on him here on Tuesday at President House.
The President, during the meeting, appreciated the contributions made by small businessmen with regard to strengthening the national economy and said that small businessmen were invaluable asset of the country and the government will facilitate them in all possible ways. The President said that the government will also look into the demand of the traders and small businessmen for setting up a separate chamber for them. He said "The government is taking all possible measures to improve security situation in the country and to restore the confidence of the businessmen so that economic activity is not hampered."
He emphasised that the government was focusing on policies directed towards putting economy on the path of sustainable growth. Protection of the poor and most vulnerable segments of the society is hallmark of our policies, he continued. President urged the business community to play their role in stepping up the economic activity.