I&M EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW HIS EXCELLENCY MR.MAMNOON HUSSAIN PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN “Maintenance of law and order is the key to boost the investor confidence” : President(elect) Mamnoon Hussain “There needs to be a social boycott of corrupt individuals from the society” :President(elect) Mamnoon Hussain x MAJOR CHALLENGES FOR THE GOVERNMENT: As the President of Pakistan, I will do whatever I can in my constitutional capacity to maintain good relations with central government and the provinces. The problems that our country faces are so great that they need confidence of the people of Pakistan. There needs to be a collective effort from all political parties. The Law and Order situation and the energy shortfall/deficit are the two major issues faced by the people of Pakistan. If we want to progress as a nation and achieve economic progress, we should resolve these issues. Other issues will be resolved if we tackle these main issues. There needs to be good governance, end to corruption and promotion of culture of honesty and merit. The present government under the leadership of Mian Nawaz Sharif is serious and determined to solve the problems of Pakistan. We have different set of conditions and issues as far as law and order situation is concerned. It is encouraging to note that the interior minister and his ministry have focused on these issues will all seriousness. Prime Minister of Pakistan is visiting Karachi today (3rd September) and will chair a special meeting with all the stakeholders. This is a welcome initiative to the right direction. ENERGY: The good news for the nation is that the energy production has increased from 11,000 MW to 17,000 MW which is a good achievement by the new government in a short span of time. The business community as well as common consumers will benefit from this increase in production. We should wait for some time before a complete end of the energy crisis. BALOCHISTAN: The governor of Balochistan, Mr. Muhammad Khan Achakzai and the Chief Minister of Balochistan, Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch are aware of the ground situation, as they have direct contact with the people of Balochistan. It is good to see Mr. Akhtar Mengal back in the parliament .The coalition government of Balochistan has taken a positive direction to solve the major issues. We hope that things will improve with the positive intent of the provincial government. DEVELOPMENT OF KARACHI: Karachi is the economic hub of the country. It should be the given priority by the government. The city has been ignored in the past by previous governments. Everyone agrees with the fact that there is immense potential of future growth of the city. There are two major factors : One is the issuance of less funds for the city and two, underutilization of the available funds. There has to be proper allocation and then the right utilization of funds . These are the ways to move forward. LOCAL BODIES & INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES: Local bodies’ elections are scheduled to be held in the country Inshallah, in the coming months. This will also help the infrastructure issues of Karachi. RELATIONS WITH CHINA: Pakistan and China have enjoyed friendly relations and with passing time the relations are getting stronger and stronger. The exchange of delegations and the visit by Pakistani Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif and subsequent meetings with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang have resulted in signing of MOUs for economic development . These are certainly steps toward right direction. The modern road and rail link between Pakistan and China will boost trade and industrial activities in the entire region . By Linking Kashgar with Gwadar , the entire region will have great economic boost and many productive directions. RELATIONS WITH INDIA: The right of self determination for the Kashmiri people need to be respected. Kashmir remains the biggest hurdle in the normalization of bilateral relationship between India and Pakistan. The present government of Pakistan supports dialogue and peace . I believe that the Indian government will respond in similar spirit. With normalization of relations, there is huge potential of trade and economic exchange between the two countries. RELATIONS WITH USA: Pakistan has maintained good relations with United States. To maintain this relationship in future, US government should stop drone attacks inside Pakistan. Drone attacks weaken this relationship. There is a consensus on this issue in the people of Pakistan that drone strikes should be halted. AFGHANISTAN: The people of Pakistan stand by with their Afghan brethren. The two countries have a shared history and culture. There is a strong bond between the people of the two countries. Dialogue is the way forward. All the major stakeholders of Afghanistan should be part of the dialogue process. OIC AND PAKISTAN: The role Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) should be broadened with active membership participation like other multinational forums. I believe that Pakistan can play a major role among the OIC countries and can become the leader of the Islamic world. Pakistan achieved the leadership status after it became a nuclear power . I strongly believe if our house is in order and our economy is strong, we will lead the OIC countries once again. FEMALE EMPOWERMENT: Women literacy and education are essential for the development of the country. Women make up majority of the population. With educated women there will be educated mothers . This will develop an educated and civilized society. The character building starts with the mother. I recall around 40 years back ,Seth Ahmed Dawood at an interactive session at KCCI said that women need to be part of the workforce equally as men and that is need of the hour today. You don’t need day care centers in the country, like they do in the west, the joint family system is a blessing for our society where grandparents nurture and look after their grand children. In our society women can work effectively. GOOD GOVERNANCE AND TRANSPARENCY: There needs to be a social boycott of corrupt individuals from the society. If people start to ignore corrupt elements you will see a basic change that will create positive impact to the top level of management. There needs to be meritocracy everywhere. FOREIGN INVESTMENT: Maintenance of law and order is the key to boost the investor confidence . Foreign investors are aware of the potential of Pakistan but they know that there needs to be safety and security of their staff and their Investment. Stability is essential for local/domestic investment as well. STATE OWNED ORGANISATIONS: This is a major economic issue. The loss making organizations need to be fixed and turned- around so that their burden on economy is reduced. The Steels Mills is making a huge loss to the national exchequer . There are other issues like over staffing as in case of PIA and other SOEs. Honest and competent people must be employed at every level. If they require additional funding ,it can be arranged by the government. There needs to be right sizing and if required there can be privatization for better control and governance. BUSINESS COMMUNITY: The biggest issue the business community faces today is the law and order situation. The government is making steps for the improvement of law and order. The business community desires business friendly policies and the present government should facilitate the businessmen, but at the same time the business community should also discourage those among their ranks who evade taxes because for national economy to grow taxes are extremely vital. MESSGAGE TOI&M: It’s a great service to the country’s corporate sector and bringing forward their problems to the policy holders. It’s commendable that I&M is active since last 48 years. Keep the good work. I end it with a “misra” ALLAH KARAY HUSN RAQAM AUR ZYADA
Posted on: Sun, 08 Sep 2013 15:33:36 +0000
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