PESHAWAR:
The Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) has called upon major political parties to present innovative economic agendas for the next five years and also expressed the need for policy continuity.
Speaking to the media during a visit to the Regional Office of the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Thursday, Chief Organizer of PBF and Vice President, Chaudhery Ahmad Jawad, emphasized that when a new government assumes power, ongoing projects are often either halted or delayed.
“To ensure the continuity of economic policies, it is crucial for all political parties to endorse the Charter of Economy and incorporate it into their political manifestos,” he stated.
Jawad highlighted the challenges faced by the country, including high levels of inflation and policy rates, low economic growth, acute debt distress, and rising levels of poverty and income inequality. He expressed concern about the delayed and lackluster approach of political parties in presenting and disseminating their economic manifestos, coupled with a lack of media focus on highlighting this behavior.
It is evident that whichever party comes to power after February 8th, they are likely to seek a new IMF Programme due to the country’s external financing requirements, according to Jawad.
The PBF official further asserted, “We should seek contemporary knowledge for economic self-reliance. Modern knowledge will empower Pakistan to strengthen its economy and compete successfully globally. Problems need to be meticulously scrutinized to find solutions, and every government policy should be taken seriously to ensure its complete implementation.”
