We have to make future planning like China: Asif Zardari
LAHORE, June 07 (SABAH): Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairperson and former president Asif Ali Zardari, renewed on Wednesday the call for a “charter of economy”, and stressed the need for collective efforts to improve the country’s economic situation. Asif Ali Zardari said that we have to make future planning like China.
In the recent past, the idea of a charter of economy was floated by the incumbent dispensation in Islamabad, notably Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, before the last year’s budget and not too long after its ascension to power following the ouster of former premier Imran Khan through a no-confidence vote in April.
The idea focuses on all stakeholders collaborating on formulating a framework for improving the economy.
Asif Ali Zardari again highlighted its need on Wednesday during a speech at “Charter of Economy” seminar at Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) in Lahore, where various issues pertaining to the economy came under discussion.
Stressing the need for the country to reach “double-digit exports”, Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan had all the resources to achieve this without assistance from foreign investors. “We can do it among ourselves.
“The big businessmen of Punjab should come together, choose industries and make groups. You form them and [invest] from your own pocket. We will guarantee them, we will guarantee those loans, we will guarantee your investment.”
He further said, “An economy is not for five or 10 or 15 years. It is for our children. It is [for] the generation to come.”
Asif Zardari also highlighted the importance of entering public-private partnerships, saying, “Countries, politicians — we make policies. We don’t run the countries or businesses, that’s for you to do.”
He further asserted “everything” was made by the private sector and not public sector elsewhere in the world.
Here, he recalled that he had also told the PTI chief in Parliament in the past to “sit down and — do whatever [tyranny] you can do with us. I am used to being in Lahore in the jail rather than at home … But that’s not important because individuals don’t matter.
“But sit down on a charter of economy with us. Let’s talk to each other. Because you are also going to one day pass away and I am also going to one day pass away … But let’s sit down and think beyond. And not for [just] five years, 10 years or 15 years.”
Asif Zardari said, “We have to think collectively. Business people have to think collectively. “You all have to make this charter of economy. If you are on this, then we are with you. If you are not on this, then we are not with you.”
He went on to say that people had seen the PPP ruling in the past, adding that his party’s government was better than everybody else. “We have to lift forex reserves to $200billion,” he added.
He continued saying that common people were already under the burden, adding that tax rates should be slashed. “Economy is not for five years, it’s for the coming generations,” he added.
Asif Zardari said if exports’ value was raised to $300 billion, it would make people forget claims of defence spending. “The PPP government has constructed seven bridges in Sindh on the Indus through public-private partnership,” he added.
Former president said that it was the duty of politicians to make policies and not do businesses. “Why did not anyone pay attention to Gwadar,” he asked. “I will make policies and it is your duty to take them forward,” he said.