(March-06-2024)
Chairman of National Business Group Pakistan, President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum, and All Karachi Industrial Alliance, and former provincial minister Mian Zahid Hussain said on Wednesday that the current tenure of Mian Shahbaz Sharif as Prime Minister would be better than the previous term.
During his first term as Prime Minister, he made a deal with the IMF and made tough decisions, laying the foundations for economic reforms that saved the country from bankruptcy, he said.
Mian Zahid Hussain said that PM Sharif’s efforts saved the country from bankruptcy but caused political damage to his party.
Talking to the business community, the veteran business leader said that the PM would try hard to improve the country’s economy. The business community is sure he will save the country by sacrificing his reputation for economic stability.
The business leader said the Prime Minister wants to take everyone along to ensure the country’s development. His determination in this regard is commendable. In these circumstances, all political parties must cooperate with him in the country’s interest.
However, he said, some parties are not concerned about the economy or the plight of the public, and they would continue to push personal interests.
Mian Zahid Hussain said that the PM should initiate efforts for the Charter of the Economy and the Charter of Reconciliation so that he can focus on national development.
He said the country is going through a critical period, so the Prime Minister should ensure merit and appoint qualified people to important positions so that the government can develop and the people can get some relief.
Suppose the important posts need to be filled on merit. In that case, it will not only affect the reputation of the Prime Minister. Still, it will cause more crises, damaging his popularity and economy, so he should refrain from taking any pressure.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif does not believe in revenge politics and has expressed this many times. He will have to make tough decisions, privatize failed government institutions, end electricity and gas sector losses, reduce energy prices, and increase the tax base so the economy can be pulled out of the dilemma.
Strong and bold steps are also needed on the political front to reduce the political tension that has caused irreparable damage to the country’s economy. Reducing political tension will increase the confidence of the public and the business community, which is essential for implementing his agenda.
Mian Zahid Hussain said that even in these critical situations, some political parties are already reacting negatively to the Prime Minister’s efforts, which is condemnable because it will harm the country, so the people should reject them so the government can be bailed out.
