(Jan-24-2024)
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 inflation and unemployment have rocked the entire population of Pakistan.
The public is apathetic towards the upcoming elections because of their issues. However, he said the PML-N may win the elections as its economic performance has remained better than rival political parties.
Mian Zahid Hussain stated that the upcoming election would not be as warm as it once used to be because of a lack of interest on the side of the populace, who are preoccupied with their own problems.
Talking to the business community, the veteran business leader said that the problems of water, electricity, gas, employment, and inflation have consumed all the energies of the public. Hence, numerous people seem indifferent to the upcoming elections.
Conversely, he added, the business community is hoping that the election would improve the nation’s political stability and boost the economy.
Mian Zahid Hussain said the country has suffered from a severe economic crisis for many years. The commoner is struggling to get the basic needs, and it has become challenging to pay the electricity and gas bills and to feed the family.
In these circumstances, what can the public care about who forms the next government and who will sit in the opposition as all they have to worry about is food, medicines, and children’s fees?
The business leader further said that the people know that their effects result from the wrong choices of politicians, which the politicians also feel.
The current government has reduced the prices of petroleum products, but because of mismanagement and profiteering, the people have not benefited from it.
He further said that a large section of the business community believes that this time, the PML-N will form the federal and Punjab governments, and it will be able to provide some relief to the people.
Many believe that PML-N is more focused on the economy than other political parties; therefore, it will be better positioned to revive the economy and provide relief to the people.
It is expected that in the era of PML-N, employment opportunities will be created for the people, attention will be paid to development projects for public welfare, all political parties will be taken on board, and the principle of live and let live will be followed.
Mian Zahid Hussain further said that the economy can never be stable until politics is stable, for which political parties must be regular. Democracy has to be practiced within the political parties.
He noted that inflation and unemployment would be significant challenges for the post-election government, which will be difficult to deal with; however, if the economy and economic reforms are prioritised above all else, smuggling and hoarding are discouraged, the situation will improve.
