All problems of auto industry will be solved: Ch Pervaiz Elahi

Lahore: Pakistan Muslim League senior central leader and Deputy Prime Minister Ch Parvez Elahi has said that we had on coming into power started work on 13 such projects for the first time in the history of Pakistan on which no work was done earlier, we gave Punjab Vision 2020 and selected such areas for development where industrial zones could be established to boost national progress and set up Sunder Industrial Estate in the province which is now working quite successfully.

Speaking as chief guest at the annual dinner of the (PAAPAM) here tonight, Ch Parvez Elahi said that the govt’s role in the context of industry should be to encourage the investors, this would result in economic growth and new job opportunities would also be created for the people. He said that the industry wheel should keep running instead of stopping as a result of which the country would progress. Ch Parvez Elahi said that he fully realizes the problems and difficulties an industrialists faces on investment into an industry and when govt policy hits him, he becomes helpless. He said we had always selected such people for ensuring growth of national economy which should give us best industrialists’ friendly policies to encourage the investor and wheel of national development also should not stop/ He said that during our tenure, we had appointed Salman Shah as our Advisor who formulated best policies for us.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that no development is not possible till all the stakeholders are not made partners for the industrial growth. He said during our tenure, we had established Sunder Industrial Estate and the Industrial Estate in Faisalabad after visiting industrial zones in different countries.

He assured the PAAPAM representatives that all problems faced by the auto industry would be solved and said that he would try that 5 per cent Sales Tax on tractor is maintained at the same level till next year. He also assured to resolve to solve the problems relating to import of reconditioned vehicles

Ch Parvez Elahi said that as regards formulation of the industrial policy, two meetings have been held and the govt wants to formulate such policies which are acceptable to all. He said in this regard such a strategy should be evolved for next 10 to 15 years by inclusion of representatives of all political parties which could not be changed immediately by any future govt. He said that investor is attracted due to conducive atmosphere provided by the govt. as such the industry wheel should keep running instead of stopping. He said that we had worked for the improvement and growth of the industry in the past and we would continue to do so in future also. Afterwards, Ch Parvez Elahi distributed shields among PAAPAM representatives.