KARACHI, Oct 5 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari said Tuesday the discontinuity of policies, lack of ownership by the business community and removal of successive governments is responsible for Pakistan’s backwardness. He was speaking at 34th FPCCI Export Trophy Awards at the Governor House here. Sindh Governor Dr. Ishrat-ul- Ebad Khan, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Commerce Minister Makhdoom Muhammad Amin Fahim and Federal Minister for Textiles Rana Farooq were also present on the occasion.The President said that custodian of every government policy have to be the people of Pakistan. “Anywhere in the world whenever you make a policy the custodians are always the beneficiaries or the affectees of that policy.”Citing an example, he said that the then PPP government had given a power policy of 1990s. If that policy had been given the ownership by the businessmen of that time, we would have been in a better place then we are now,” he added.“It is the job of the government to make policy but it is your business to make sure that we implement them and you being the custodian to see that these are continued”, he said while addressing top exporters and businessmen.“What has harmed, in my opinion, Pakistan’s business atmosphere is it’s always been the discontinuity, break up of governments and then change of policies,” he noted.
The President said that it was high time that there should be a state dialogue with stakeholders on any policy or any issue. “I would advise the government to always have businessmen on their side”, he remarked.
President Asid Zardari said that Pakistan’s exports have increased to $ 19 billion and remittances have also grown significantly during the past two years of the government.
Making something is a herculean task while breaking is very easy, he said. Lauding the performance of Pakistani exporters in difficult circumstances like energy shortage, war on terror and global economic meltdown, the President said he was proud of them.
He also appreciated the efforts of Pakistani business community for providing relief to the flood victims. This was a great challenge which we have made half way and there is much more needed to be done and a lot will be done. “I am grateful that the nation stands together in trying times”, he added.
He said that Pakistan was passing through a difficult period and this calls for taking difficult decisions.President Zardari said that the present government had to go to IMF regime due to the bad performance of the previous governments. They did not pass on the impact of oil prices when they were at their peak.However, he said that he would not come up with any excuses. We have to march on together looking forward to a better future and we are hoping to do that with the help of agriculture sector, he said – App
