President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF), Mian Zahid Hussain has said that sluggish economic activities have resulted in deferred industrial expansion plans which is not good for the economy.

He noted that the industrial sub-sectors deemed important for the economy are being closed while many are cutting production. Cement sector has reduced production to 30 percent, auto sector is in a shamble, the steel sector is crumbling under tax measures and smuggling, while ceramics and textile sector is also not doing well, he added.

The economic activities are nose-diving while the condition of the industrial sector is worrisome which should be noticed as this sector is very important for exports, revenue, and employment, he said.

Mian Zahid Hussain said the economy and the masses are feeling the pain of new economic and monetary policies. He said that the industrial sector was never given due importance which deprived it of a sustainable base.

The different industrial sectors that used to compete over energy are now trying to survive, which has left power production in surplus pushing power plants to cut production while some have been simply closed down, he added.

He informed that there is 9000 megawatt of power surplus, private sector lending is drying, banks are facing increased defaults to the tune of Rs150 billion.

He said that economic managers should stop praising themselves and review their policies after consultation with local experts and the private sector so that the party which promised provision of ten million jobs can fulfil its promise.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019