Business Community Must Be Given a Central Role in Economic Improvement, KATI President
Muhammad Ikram Rajput.
Reduction in Gas and Electricity Tariffs Can Boost Business Activity and Revive the Industrial Sector,
Khalid Tawab and Arif Habib.
KARACHI: Patron-in-Chief of United Buisness Group (UBG) and Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) S. M. Tanveer stressed the need for coordinated efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s economy, improve the investment climate and restore confidence in the business sector.
Speaking at a dinner hosted by prominent industrialist and Chairman of United Business Group Sindh, Khalid Tawab, in honour of Inspector General of Police Sindh Javed Alam Odho and KATI leadership led by President Muhammad Ikram Rajput. SM Tanveer, said the government is fully aware of the tax- related and other problems confronting traders and industrialists and is working to facilitate them. He added that several positive measures are expected in the upcoming budget, which would likely benefit the business community.
The event was attended by FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh, UBG President Zubair Tufail, Mian Zahid Hussain, Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan, businessman Arif Habib, Abdul Sammi Khan, Deputy Commissioner Korangi Masood Bhutto, KATI Vice President Syed Talha Ali, Former chairmen KATI Farhan-ur-Rehman, Ehtishamuddin, Zahid saeed, Syed Farukh Mazhar, Rashid Ahmed Siddiqui, Junaid Naqi, Add. DG-FIA Mujahid Akber, DIG Traffic Pir Muhammad Shah, DIG Asim Kaimkhani, Ameen Farooqi, Olympian Islahuddin, Farhan Hanif, Hyderabad Chamber representative Iqbal Hussain Baig, Hamza Tabani, Najmuddin and a large number of traders and industrialists.
SM Tanveer said he has been touring the country under the federation’s platform to help formulate a practical strategy for improving the economy. He stated that Pakistan is in safe hands and that everyone must play their part in the country’s progress. “The country today needs unity and solidarity,” he said, adding that just as national cohesion was visible in Iran, Pakistan too needs a similar spirit of collective commitment to achieve economic recovery and prosperity.
He urged traders and industrialists to bring their capital back to Pakistan, saying that while their businesses operate in the country and their children study here, they often transfer their wealth abroad, which harms the national economy. “If we truly love our country, we should bring our money back to Pakistan,” he remarked. He said the government is soon introducing economic policies that will encourage business activity and create a more conducive environment for investment.
Addressing the gathering, IG Sindh Javed Alam Odho paid rich tribute to the late SM Muneer, calling him his benefactor and saying he would always remember him. He noted that policing systems around the world are changing, and Sindh Police is also undergoing reforms to modernize its operations.
He said the use of drone surveillance in the katcha areas has led to significant improvements in law and order. According to him, several dacoits from the katcha areas have surrendered to the authorities, which he credited to an effective police strategy.
Odho said the police force faces challenges due to the low educational level of many personnel, making it difficult to match the performance standards of developed countries. He added that better results could be achieved by improving the balance between officers and constables.
Referring to his previous posting in Dadu, he said kidnapping incidents were once common there, but through different strategies the police managed to control crime and restore peace. He added that the force is now focusing on Safe City projects, digitization, technology integration and traffic reforms. He said the absence of criminal incidents on the Motorway and Indus Highway during Eid was evidence of the effective use of modern technology.
KATI President Muhammad Ikram Rajput said Pakistan is gaining importance at the global level, with major international decisions now increasingly appearing to be made in Islamabad. He said this has also enhanced the value of the Pakistani passport.
Rajput praised the efforts of Sindh Police under Javed Alam Odho for eliminating dacoits from the katcha areas, saying the improvement in law and order is commendable. He added that the business community should be given greater opportunities to play an active role in the national economy, as the private sector is vital for economic growth.
He described SM Tanveer as a capable and experienced leader who, if given a higher platform, could help make Pakistan an economic “Asian Tiger.” Rajput said it had long been his wish to see himself as KATI president and Javed Alam Odho as IG Sindh, adding that both wishes have now been fulfilled.
Prominent businessman Arif Habib said Pakistan’s economy is currently facing challenges, but improvement in the government’s financial account is a positive sign. He added that if gas and electricity tariffs are reduced, business activity could improve significantly and the industrial sector could become active again.
He said the business community stands shoulder to shoulder with the government in efforts to stabilize the economy and is ready to extend every possible form of support.
Earlier, Khalid Tawab said Pakistan is moving toward development and that several proposals for improving the economy were presented during a meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi at the Federation House, with positive outcomes expected if they are implemented.
Tawab said Pakistan’s external debt burden is not beyond management and that with sincere collective effort, dependence on institutions such as the IMF can be reduced. He also highlighted the traffic problems faced by citizens in Karachi during PSL matches due to restricted routes for team movement, urging the relevant authorities to devise a better strategy that keeps public convenience in mind. The event concluded with business leaders reaffirming their support for reforms aimed at economic stability, improved law and order and a stronger partnership between the state and the private sector.
Photo caption: United Business Group Patron-in-Chief SM Tanveer and Khalid Tawab presenting a bouquet to IG Sindh Police Javed Alam Odho. KATI President Muhammad Ikram Rajput, Zubair Tufail and Arif Habib are also present.
