Secretary General Pakistan People’s Party Senator Jehangir Badr has said that the present government is quite alive to economic challenges and trying to promote regional trade through Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs).
The Senator was addressing MoU signing ceremony between the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Institute of Vision and Leadership here at the LCCI on Saturday. LCCI President presented Irfan Qaiser Sheikh the address of Welcome while former LCCI Presidents Iftikhar Ali Malik, Sheikh Mohammad Asif and former Senior Vice President Sohail Lashari also spoke on the occasion.
Senator Jehangir Badr said that in today’s globalised world, survival of the fittest is the thumb rule therefore both government and the private sector would have to focus on better handling of
socio-economic matters. He said neither politicians alone nor the private sector could perform any miracle as far as far as economic turnaround is concerned and there is a dire need to establish institutions to prepare the next generations to cope with economic challenges. He said that the Institute of Vision and Leadership would facilitate and pave way for achieving much needed results. Senator said government is convinced that for the implementation of economic policies in letter and spirit, the consultation with the private sector is a prerequisite as they are the main stakeholders therefore all the government department including the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) had been directed to strengthen its liaison with the business community.
Speaking on the occasion, LCCI President Irfan Qaiser Sheikh said the leadership gap in all spheres of life has pushed the country to the wall and the nation as whole has failed to taste the fruit of marvelous potentials that the country owns. He said the economic situation today would have been quite encouraging if a little attention had been given towards bridging this leadership gap. He said that though the present government was making all out efforts but challenges were multiplying with every passing day. He said the country is standing at a unique crossroads today. We have atypical standing in international community. Our economy has its own strengths and weaknesses. Our geo-strategic positioning is marred by a unique set of challenges and opportunities. This situation calls for measures to improve our understanding of domestic and world issues. Therefore, as individuals, as Pakistanis and as representatives of the business community we need to promote a systematic debate on all issues that we come across, LCCI President said. Irfan Qaiser Sheikh said Institute of Vision and Leadership is a timely step to generate awareness and possible solutions to all the challenges being faced by the country. He hoped that Institute of Vision and Leadership will contribute a great deal in closing the leadership gap through training to potential leaders in areas relating to economic, political, constitutional, legal, geo-strategic and international affairs.
