News
Sunday, April 08, 2012
President for consensus on economic reforms* Zardari says cannot afford politicisation of economic policies of country
* Hopes Hafiz Saeed won’t be the focus in India trip
LAHORE: President Asif Zardari on Saturday called for broad-based political consensus on national economic policies, owned by the business community, for their continuity regardless of which government was in power.
He said that after having achieved consensus on political reforms it was time to work towards consensus on economic reforms, as “we cannot afford politicisation of economic policies of the country”. The president said this during a meeting with the businessmen and entrepreneurs belonging to various sectors, including textile, banking, engineering, chemical, fertilisers, cement, tractors and construction at the Governor’s House.
President’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar said that Zardari had lauded the business community for achieving record export performance despite various challenges on internal and external fronts, including militancy, law and order, power shortage, global economic slowdown and the reluctance of foreign investors.
He said that the government had consulted and would continue to take on board the business community on all major economic decisions, such as the federal budget and trade policy matters. He said the government believed that the input of business community was very important in devising policy that is productive.
Zardari said the government’s economic policies mainly aimed at employment opportunities for youth, improving investment environment and resolving energy issues. The president said that he was Pakistani first and then a Sindhi. Zardari also hoped that Hafiz Saeed would not be the focus during his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday (today) in New Delhi. agenciesCourtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk