ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's business community has urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to start trade with India and “shake hands” with jailed former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan to bring economic and political stability to the country.
At a meeting with business leaders in Karachi on Wednesday, Sharif assured them that he would seriously consider their suggestions and, in consultation with them, create a comprehensive policy framework to ensure export-led growth and resolve Pakistan's foreign exchange reserve crisis. He sought their support to double export volumes in the next five years of his reign.
Sharif sat down with business leaders as his country seeks a new, longer-term and larger IMF loan. According to Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Islamabad could reach a staff-level agreement on the new program by early July.
After the Prime Minister's brief address, the House was opened for a question-and-answer session where business leaders expressed their appreciation for the government's recent moves but made further demands. They also put forward proposals for economic measures to achieve the desired goals and expressed concerns about political instability.
“You made some handshakes after taking office that yielded good results, and progress on the IMF deal is one of them,” said Arif Habib, a leading Pakistani entrepreneur. “I suggest you shake a few more hands. One of them is trade with India, which would greatly benefit our economy. Secondly, you should also team up with a resident of Adiala Jail (a reference to imprisoned PTI leader Imran Khan). Try to fix things on this level too, and I believe you can do it.”
The prime minister avoided answering questions directly on political stability but claimed to have noted down his suggestions for economic growth and assured him that he would soon invite businessmen from across the country to Islamabad and sit with them “until all issues are resolved.” are”. “It’s not solved.”
Pakistan had downgraded its ties with India and suspended trade ties with India after the Modi-led government changed the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019. Since then, Pakistan has linked its decision to normalize relations with India to the restoration of special status to the Himalayan region.
However, the incumbent government of Pakistan, with the connivance of the military establishment, has sought to create an environment conducive to business and trade relations.
At a meeting with business leaders in Karachi on Wednesday, Sharif assured them that he would seriously consider their suggestions and, in consultation with them, create a comprehensive policy framework to ensure export-led growth and resolve Pakistan's foreign exchange reserve crisis. He sought their support to double export volumes in the next five years of his reign.
Sharif sat down with business leaders as his country seeks a new, longer-term and larger IMF loan. According to Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Islamabad could reach a staff-level agreement on the new program by early July.
After the Prime Minister's brief address, the House was opened for a question-and-answer session where business leaders expressed their appreciation for the government's recent moves but made further demands. They also put forward proposals for economic measures to achieve the desired goals and expressed concerns about political instability.
“You made some handshakes after taking office that yielded good results, and progress on the IMF deal is one of them,” said Arif Habib, a leading Pakistani entrepreneur. “I suggest you shake a few more hands. One of them is trade with India, which would greatly benefit our economy. Secondly, you should also team up with a resident of Adiala Jail (a reference to imprisoned PTI leader Imran Khan). Try to fix things on this level too, and I believe you can do it.”
The prime minister avoided answering questions directly on political stability but claimed to have noted down his suggestions for economic growth and assured him that he would soon invite businessmen from across the country to Islamabad and sit with them “until all issues are resolved.” are”. “It’s not solved.”
Pakistan had downgraded its ties with India and suspended trade ties with India after the Modi-led government changed the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019. Since then, Pakistan has linked its decision to normalize relations with India to the restoration of special status to the Himalayan region.
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