We want to give long term industrial policy:Ch Pervaiz Elahi

Lahore: Pakistan Muslim senior central leader and Deputy Prime Minister Ch Parvez Elahi has said that we want to give long term industrial policy with consensus of all political parties and stakeholders about which the investors have belief that this policy would not be change by the succeeding governments. He said this in his address during visit to the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today.

ICCI President Zafar Bakhtawari and former and present office-bearers warmly welcomed the Deputy Prime Minister. On this occasion, Advisor to the Prime Minister for Industries Muhammad Basharat Raja was also present. The Chamber President gave detailed briefing regarding different projects of the ICCI and also mentioned problems faced by the businessmen community. Ch Parvez Elahi said that we gave a very clear and far reaching vision according to the modern economic principles bringing about basic changes in the economic structure of Pakistan, our objective is to bring economic revolution in the country giving Pakistan higher status in the world, our thinking is that it is for the private sector to do business and the government should only formulate policy and provide all necessary facilities and practical example of this are the Sunder Industrial Estate and Faisalabad Garments City.

He said that we developed these estates and handed over their management to the private sector adding that the world still appreciates enviable performance of these estates.
The Deputy Prime Minister said that we have had closer contacts with the Chamber, whatever policy was framed as the Chief Minister it included representation of the Chamber and their confidence. Continuing, Ch Parvez Elahi said that Export Processing Zones would be established in Chakwal, Attock and Chakri so that all facilities are provided to the exports at one place and the products of these areas also reach the international markets. He said if the Punjab Government cooperates in the establishment of these zones then the Federal Government is also ready for joint ventures. He said that for the collective welfare and betterment of the people we are even ready to go to the opponents brushing aside all differences adding that the national interest is our first priority.

Ch Parvez Elahi said that we are making efforts to formulate such a long term industrial policy which continues at least for 15 years as this would increase the confidence of the investors and the investment in the country will also be boosted. Deputy Prime Minister Ch Parvez Elahi said that working with good intentions and consultations produces best results. He maintained that Punjab of our tenure was better than the Punjab of the past and present, present government stopped projects of our tenure, resorted to delaying tactics but these projects had so much life and strength that the present govt. had to run those projects though the cost had increased manifold and the Lahore Bus project is the clear example in this regard. Ch Parvez Elahi said that we had prepared a plan for underground tram which is working in all European countries and mostly developed Asian countries. Under this plan, 3 million people would have travelled daily, 100 million fuel would have been saved and people of Lahore would have been travelling in it in 2012 but the present govt. changed it format by constructing on the ground instead of underground thus reducing further the width of a busy and well-known road of Lahore. He said that the Asian Development Bank had provided us 1. 3 billion dollars on 3. 5 per cent rate and six million dollars for feasibility study.

He said that international financial institutions were running after us with money in their hands but the present Punjab Government do not have the donors because it has no credibility. He said that the State Bank of Pakistan had remarked in its report about our projects as the best utilization of the funds projects. On a demand from the Chamber, Ch Parvez Elahi said that he would talk to the officials concerned for giving the Chamber in the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Board and announced that in the Boards of all subordinate institutions of the Ministries which are with the Pakistan Muslim League, businessmen would be given representation ICCI President Zafar Bakhtawari in his address thanked Ch Parvez Elahi for giving representation to the business in the boards of government institutions. He said that steps taken by Ch Parvez Elahi for the businessmen community are well-known and, he always solved businessmen problems on priority basis and traders and businessmen had never felt the need to come out on roads for acceptance of their demands.