Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir Thursday said that sit-ins being staged by the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) in red zone of the federal capital is negatively affecting the national economy and damaging country’s image internationally.
Speaking in the senate standing committee on commerce and textile industry, he said the prevailing situation was damaging the economy and halting investments in various fields.
Khurram said the stock exchange witnessed a bearish trend in the current week, which also had a negative impact on the economy. He said that international exporters had stopped imports and exports from Pakistan and huge export material and machinery was lying at the Karachi port.
The standing committee expressed concern over the increase of foreign debt from Rs 350 billion to Rs 500 billion because of increase in dollar price during the sit-in by the PTI and the PAT.
The committee passed a resolution showing concern on national trade deficit decrease of import and export, which damaged the country’s credibility at international level.
Chairman Standing Committee on Commerce and Textile Haji Ghulam Ali said all matters were resolved through dialogue in democratic regime and no other option should be accepted instead of negotiations.
The government, he said, was holding sincere dialogue with the both parties to find legal and constitutional solution of political issues. He said in democratic system, all political parties were united to protect the sanctity of the constitution and parliament. Senator Ilyas Bilour questioned the induction of staff in State Life Insurance Corporation and said that quota details regarding the inductions be provided within a month.
Senator Bilour also questioned the embezzlement of Rs 20 million in State Life Corporation and wondered why the accused were still posted on same duties and no inquiry was carried out against them.
The trade secretary said that both the accused officers were under suspension and a departmental inquiry was underway against them as well by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
The committee meeting was also attended by senators Islamudin Sheikh, Sardar Yaqoob Nasir and Saifullah Bangish.
