SM Muneer (BhaiJan) is the Patron in Chief of United Business Group and a leading entrepreneur. He has been instrumental in bringing the business community together on a single platform and resolving long-standing issues related to their business. I look at it with respect. Since the formation of the United Business Group under the leadership of SM Muneer, this group has been achieving significant success every year in the elections of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Despite the illness of SM Muneer before the 2020 Federation Election, he not only gave full guidance to UBG but he is also very active in the 2021 Federation Election. Now a new passion and enthusiasm are being seen in him. In order to know the economic situation of the country and other issues including the federation election, theazb.com conducted an exclusive interview with him which is being offered to the readers.
How do you see the current economic situation in Pakistan and what is the performance of the government?
SM Muneer: The year 2020 has become a nightmare for COVID-19. There have been many difficulties for the government because of COVID-19, businesses have become cold, shops have remained closed, economic activities have remained the same. Well, they are doing a good job. They have given full priority to the development of exports and industries and these two things are very important for Pakistan. If exports are increased and industries are developed, our country will grow a lot. Due to the policies of the present government, the fiscal deficit has come down a lot. The main reason for this is the ban on imports of useless and unnecessary items or its taxes. The increase is that now only the necessities are being imported due to which our foreign exchange is also surviving.
Nowadays, the policies of the Prime Minister and his honesty are also being questioned.
SM Muneer: I am a realist. There is no doubt that the Prime Minister is honest. He does not work number two and does not allow anyone to do anything. Giving scholarships to students, issuing health cards, New Pakistan Housing Scheme, among other things, is his achievement, denying it will not be based on justice in any case. Efforts have been made to ensure the supply. Imran Khan also wants the country’s economy to grow. The Prime Minister has been expressing his determination to develop the country at every opportunity in which he has achieved a great deal.
What would you say about the performance of the Federal Board of Revenue and their attitude towards the business community?
SM Muneer: There has been a slight improvement in the performance of the FBR, which is why the FBR is achieving its recovery target. The FBR has set a target of Rs 4,000 billion. The FBR’s tax collection in the first quarter of the current financial year reached Rs 993 billion, i.e. more than Rs 24 billion was collected in the first quarter. Who is paying this tax? We are the people of the business community who are paying the tax due to which the financial management of the country is maintained today.
Do we need to further reduce electricity and gas prices for industries?
SM Muneer: The government should reduce the rates of electricity and gas, due to high prices of electricity and gas for the country’s industries, the cost of production is rising, due to which domestic industrialists face stiff competition abroad. On the other hand, inflation has also badly affected business activities. If the situation remains the same, then how will business go and who will set up new factories? Even today, electricity and gas rates in India and Bangladesh are cheaper than in Pakistan. Yes, its prices will have to be reduced in Pakistan as well.
The infrastructure of Pakistan, especially the industrial areas of Karachi, is in a state of disrepair. Whose responsibility is it to pay attention to this?
SM Muneer: Provincial governments are responsible for destroying the infrastructure of industrial areas. If you go to the industrial area of ??Karachi, not a single road has been built there. Foreign businessmen from abroad are also amazed to see the industrial areas. We are embarrassed. Although the infrastructure of the industries should be ideal so that the foreigner can come here and feel good.
Does the country’s economic situation seem to be improving after COVID-19?
SM Muneer: There is no doubt that the last few months have improved compared to the early months of 2020. Not only Pakistan but the whole world was upset because of the code. The destroyers of the code are in front of everyone. Pakistan is also suffering from this disease. It is worrying that the number of people is increasing in the world. The number of deaths due to this disease has gone up to one thousand and seven but in Pakistan, its number has not gone above 100. It is the grace of God and the success of all of us that this disease has been controlled due to precaution, many of my relatives have died at the same time when I went to Canada for treatment, and I was also coded. Allah has healed me. Despite all these circumstances, I think that the economic situation is gradually improving.
What is the opinion of the international business community regarding Prime Minister Imran Khan?
SM Muneer: The global business community believes that Imran Khan will make progress in the days to come. They think positively about Imran Khan and trust him. The global business community has hardly shown as much interest in the business in Pakistan as it has in any other government of Pakistan. The practical work was not visible.
FPCCI elections are about to take place. How is UBG prepared?
SM Muneer: United Business Group will do a clean sweep in the 2021 elections and the Vice President will come unopposed in this year’s elections. We need to do more. We have been winning for the last 5 years. Only last year my condition changed due to my absence due to treatment. Anjum Nisar was able to win the election by buying votes even though I have never bought votes in my life. I do not believe in buying votes. It is a matter of love and trust. Our Khalid Tawab will come to the President of FPCCI 2021. He is a very experienced man and will prove to be the best President. If we succeed in the Federation elections, we will protect the interests of the business community across the country and accompany them in resolving issues. We will work to make the representation of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry in the relevant government bodies more effective and efficient. The community has come together under the banner of United Business Group. We are participating in the federal elections this year with full readiness and after the victory, we will give positive suggestions to the government to improve the national economy and take steps in the best interest of the business community. The Federation House will be reformed this year, including the correctness of the blow dealt with the Federation Chamber by the coroneted leaders who were elected by fake votes in the Federation this year, ignoring the interests of the business community.
