AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Islamabad, July 04, 2013 (PPI-OT): Businessmen are key stakeholders in the development of national economy and they should have proper voice in parliament in the form of a business friendly group to contribute for the formulation of growth-oriented economic policies. This was emphasized by Zafar Bakhtawari, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry while speaking at a dinner hosted at ICCI.
Tahir Iqbal Chaudhry MNA from Vehari, Shahzada Iftikhar ud Din MNA from Chitral, Akmal Saif Chatha MPA from Alipur Chatha, Raja Hanif MPA from Rawalpindi, Munawar Mughal, former President ICCI were other prominent guests at the occasion.
Zafar Bakhtawari said that private sector is the engine of growth for economy and presence of its group in parliament is crucial to represent the input business community in policy making process. He said parliamentarians should extend their support and cooperation for creation of such a pressure group in lower and upper houses that would provide valuable recommendations to the government for improving the economy.
Speaking at the occasion, Tahir Iqbal Chaudhry, MNA from Vehari assured that government is determined to give major role to private sector for the economic development and would take all measures to facilitate its growth. He said he would try to establish an agro-based industrial estate in Vehari in collaboration with private sector to produce value added agro products. He also thanked ICCI for its support for the establishment of Vehari Chamber of Commerce and Industry and assured his full support for its further development.
Shahzada Iftikhar ud Din, MNA from Chitral said that Chitral provides very peaceful and safe corridor to Western China, Tajikistan and Central Asia and government should give priority focus to connecting Chitral through road and railway links with these countries to start a new era of improved trade with this region.
He said government has allocated insufficient funds in the budget for completion of Lawari Tunnel and called for allocation of more funds for early completion of this important project which will provide easy access and help in generating economic activities in this less developed area.
Munawar Mughal, former President ICCI said that energy crisis is badly affecting business and economic activities while Chitral River has reportedly the potential to generate 10,000-12,000 MW cheap electricity. He stressed that government should accord top priority to exploiting this untapped potential for overcoming energy shortage.
Amir Akeel Khanzada thanked the guests for their participation. Zahid Iqbal Chaudhry former Vice Chairman EPZ , Babar Chaudhry, Khurram Nawaz Ex-MPA, Shahzada Khan Khichi and a large of business community also attended the dinner.
For more information, contact:
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Chamber House, Aiwan-e-Sanat-o-Tijarat Road,
Mauve Area, G-8/1,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +9251 225 0526 and 225 3145
Fax: +9251 225 2950
Email: icci@brain.net.pk
Website: www.icci.com.pk