ISLAMABAD : April 14,2023: Former Governor Punjab , Pakistan Muslim League (PML) president and its chief organiser, Chaudhary Mohammad Sarwar , on Friday said here that International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) harsh conditions for revival of its 9th review under EFF was a deep-rooted conspiracy hatched against Pakistan for paralizing it financially and subsequently forcing it to compromise on its vital national security .
Addressing the participants of Iftar dinner hosted by Malik Arshad owner of W Group, Chaudhary Mohammad Sarwar said “I tell you that the strings attached for revival of IMF program for release of $ 1.2 billion bailout package is a part of an intriguing conspiracy hatched against Pakistan and its purpose is to bring it down to the knees and finally force to compromise on its vital national security”, adding ” you come from business community which is my all times constituency do you think its possible to.do any business or run any industry when interest rate in Pakistan is gone up to 25 percent”.
It may be recalled that Under IMF pressure , the government has jacked-up interest rate to 23 % and with addition of kibor it surges to 25 percent.
A galaxy of Pakistani business community and politicians joined the host for the Iftar dinner . PML senior leaders including president PML North , Chaudhary Ansar Farooq , Hockey legend , Asif Bajwa , Rana Mujahid , PML president for Islamabad , Rizwan Sadiq , MNA Mrs Farah Khan , Begum Chaudhary Mohammad Sarwar , PML Information secretary , Malik Ghulam Mustafa , Naurin Farooq, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ICCI) president , Ahsin Bukhtawari , ICCI former president , Zafar Bukhtawari and a large number of business community leaders were among invitees of the Iftar dinner.
Chaudhary Mohammad Sarwar cited various incidents of perjuery and frauds that deprived expat Pakistanis from their immovable properties in Pakistan. He deplored that lack of prompt justice in such cases encouraged criminals to grab land and built up properties of expat Pakistanis in Pakistan.
Chaudhary Mohamand Sarwar said “You may be in UK or Singapore but your property could be transfered to any second person may be to third person in your absence and this happens in Pakistan only”.
He added that this unfortunate practice would.continue untill land grabbers get jail terms for their criminal act. Chaudhary Sarwar recalled that he worked hard to earn GSP plus status for export of Pakistani products to European market . He noted that his efforts to get GSP plus status gave benefit of $ 20 billion to Pakistan .
PML president disclosed that he was making efforts to get GSP plus status for Pakistan for another 10 year period.
PML president and chief organiser also spoke on irritants that hamper Pakistan ‘s economic growth . He said Pakistan ‘s income and spending do not Match to its resources and there was urgent need to put an end to the culture of living beyond our own resources . Chaudhary Mohamand Sarwar urged to the nation to observe simplicity in its day+to -day life. He said Pakistan has a great potential to enhance its non traditional items export. He believed that exports of pharma sector can be increased to $ 2 billion annually.
He added that the government needs to sell off all industries which were running in loss . He referred Pakistan Steel Mills , PIA. Railways and many others state owned units which were causing loss of trillion of rupee to the state every year.
Chaudhary Mohammad Sarwar called upon political leadership to sit together to formulate a long term strategy to pull Pakistan out of the on-going multi+dimensional crisis. He advocated the culture of tolerance in the national politics.
Chaudhary Mohammad Sarwar said Pakistan has plenty of resources but corruption put an alarming level in the last five years. He said Ex pats sent S 140 and Pakistan earned almost amount through exports in last five years but still we are begging IMF for a loan of $ 1 billion.
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Earlier , PML senior leader , Chaudhary Ansar Farooq addressed to the participants of the event.He said Pakistan is facing
difficult times right now and there was need to make necessary corrections to overcome problems being faced by the people of Pakistan.He said PML leadership was committed to steer Pakistan out of current crisis.
Former federal minister and Pakistan People Party (PPP) leader , Nadeem Afzal Chan , feared bloodshed in each constituency if elections were held in the current charged environment . He suggested elections of the national assembly and provinces in one go.
ICCI president , Ahsin Bukhtawari, demanded long terms policies to help business community and industry of Pakistan to set long term goal and make Pakistan economically independent.
Host Malik Arshad in his welcome note demanded conducive environment for pharma industry to earn Forex exchange for Pakistan.