President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF), President Mian Zahid Hussain has expressed concern over Panama papers controversy which is pushing the country towards political and economic instability. The increased political struggle over the issue can hit developmental agenda of the government, damage important projects including the fate-changing project of China Pakistan Economic Corridor and harass foreign investors, he said.
Mian Zahid Hussain said that legal and constitutional mechanism to deal with such issues is available in the country therefore some politicians should not try to get undue benefit of the situation at this critical juncture as the country is facing very serious challenges.
He said that the demand of resignation from the Prime Minister seems immature as we cannot do everything what is practised in the west where democracy is mature and institutions are strong enough to deliver. Resignations of top government functionaries in west have a very little impact while it can derail everything in Pakistan which our country cannot afford at this time, he added.
Mian Zahid Hussain said that the government and army under the leadership of General Raheel Shareef, are on the same page after decades resulting in improved peace and retreat of terrorists, power projects are bring completed, and sick units are being sold which has restored confidence of many investors. He said that the revolutionary project of CPEC is facing criticism from provinces while enemy nations are out to destroy it, operation against terrorists and criminals is in full swing, democracy and democratic norms are taking roots in the country and the situation requires stability. The real issue is not the resignation of the prime minister but the interests of the state which are supreme, he said.