The business community of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday expressed concern over the continued agitation of PTI, saying it is badly affecting economic growth and leaving negative effects on stock markets, trade, industries and other business activities in the country.
Two former presidents of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Dr Yousaf Sarwar and Faud Ishad said that the protests were adversely affecting the business and trade activities particularly in Khyber Pakthunkhwa and urged the PTI leadership to instead of roads and streets use the proper forum of parliament for the solution of their political issues.
Dr Yousaf Sarwar said that the sit-ins of PTI and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) staged in 2014 had rendered negative impacts on business activities and the community had suffered losses to the tone of billions of rupees due to unwanted closure of offices, roads, restaurants, and business concerns, saying Pakistan economy can't afford political instability and repeated agitations.
He said industries running on raw materials in Khyber Pakthunkhwa were badly suffering due to closures of roads and non-availability of containers, owing to PTI protest. He further said peaceful protest was the right of PTI but it could not be unbridled and should be within the norms of democracy, constitution and law of the land. He said steps taken by the incumbent government for economic progress were recognised by IMF, World Bank and Asian Development Bank. Dr Sarwar said political stability and continuity of economic policies was imperative to achieve status of developed economies, adding special incentives were required to achieve exports targets.