Govt to continue policies made under Nawaz Sharif: PM

• Says objectives of govt include economic growth, creation of jobs, increase in tax collection

KARACHI: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Saturday assured the business community that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government will carry forward the policies made under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif.

“The PML-N government, after evolving consensus among all the stakeholders, and due to the unmatched sacrifices of the law enforcement and security agencies, has restored peace and glory of the financial hub of the country. We will ensure to consolidate the gains on the security front as well as ensure that economic and trade activities grow further,” said the prime minister during meeting with leading businessmen, including office bearers of Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) and Pakistan Business Council, at Governor House Karachi today. Sindh governor, interior minister, State Bank of Pakistan governor and FBR chairman were also present during the meeting.

The prime minister said that there is a convergence of interests of the government and the business community, as both are determined for economic growth and improvement in the business atmosphere in the country. If the economy is not strong, he added, the country will not grow.

“There is much potential in our economic and trade sector; we need to work together to tap this potential for progress and prosperity of our country,” the PM further stated. “The only thing necessary is to make combined and concerted efforts.”

PM Abbasi also mentioned that the objectives of the government are economic growth, creation of jobs and increase in tax collection. “In fact, the objectives of the government and those of the business community are same,” he elaborated. “If the business community does not grow, the government will not be able to achieve its objectives.”

The prime minister assured the business community that their proposals for economic growth and increase in investment will be honoured, adding that “the need is to work in unison for the achievement of our shared objectives.”

He added, “Collectively, we will resolve the issues confronting us; I will be holding frequent interactions with you in coming days to seek your valuable proposals and suggestions in this regard.”

The prime minister said that he was extremely happy and thankful to be among the business community in his first official visit to Karachi. He said that in the wake of a smooth transition, the Cabinet took an oath and the government started functioning immediately—which is good for democracy and has renewed confidence of the business community.

The members of the business community congratulated PM Abbasi on assuming the office of the prime minister and thanked him for meeting them on his first visit to Karachi.

The business leaders lauded the gains in the security situation as well as improvement in the macroeconomic outlook of the country. The businessmen individually shared their views regarding the economic challenges ahead. They apprised the PM of issues faced by them regarding an increase in imports, cost of doing business, trade and tariff, and taxation. They shared their findings after the formation of a committee during interaction with former PM Muhammad Nawaz Sharif previously.

They lauded the economic reforms under the leadership of former PM Nawaz and for putting the country on road to peace and progress during the last four years.