ISLAMABAD ( WNAM REPORT): UBG Patron-in-Chief SM Tanveer met with the four Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) from Islamabad—Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Anjum Aqeel Khan, Raja Khurram Nawaz, and Farah Naz— at the residence of UBG Secretary General Zafar Bakhtawari. During the meeting, SM Tanveer briefed the MNAs about the initiatives undertaken by the business community and took them into confidence regarding future plans.
SM Tanveer informed the MNAs that the way the business community has addressed issues related to IPPs (Independent Power Producers) will yield positive results in the next couple of months. He assured that electricity prices will, Insha’Allah, decrease, which will boost exports, promote industry, increase investment, and reduce unemployment. He added that, as a result of their practical efforts, the interest rate is also expected to soon drop to 9%, which will further accelerate industrial activity.
He emphasized that agriculture is the backbone of any country and highlighted the need for special measures to increase cotton production, which is crucial for boosting textile exports. He noted that this year, Pakistan achieved a wheat production of 31 million metric tons. By increasing per-acre productivity, the additional land can be used for cotton cultivation, potentially adding at least $5 billion in revenue.
The MNAs assured SM Tanveer that they would raise the business community’s voice in the assembly and discuss issues of national interest in parliament. Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry suggested inviting SM Tanveer to the parliamentary standing committees on commerce and agriculture so that he could share his insights and ideas with the members of parliament, contributing to the country’s development and prosperity. Anjum Aqeel Khan emphasized focusing on agriculture and utilizing professionals’ expertise to address national challenges. Raja Khurram Nawaz noted the various reasons for low cotton production and stressed the need to address these issues to enhance output. Farah Naz also assured her support in conveying these concerns to higher authorities.
Zafar Bakhtawari thanked the MNAs and SM Tanveer for their presence, stating that the business community plays a vital role in strengthening the national economy and that the government should prioritize their recommendations in policymaking. Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari added that stabilizing the national economy requires collective efforts, and the approach of “Pakistan First” will lead to success.
