KARACHI: Amid concerns over weak law and order, heavy reliance on the IMF and growing fears among traders, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman met leading businessman Arif Habib in Karachi and reaffirmed support for the business community.
Habib, Chairman of the Arif Habib Group, hosted a luncheon in honour of Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, which was attended by several prominent Karachi-based business figures.
The meeting focused on Pakistan’s economic situation, the impact of insecurity on business activity, the investment climate and challenges faced by the trader community.
Participants included Federal Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Khalid Tawab, Abdul Samad Habib, Haji Usman Ghani, Engineer Zia-ur-Rehman, Allama Rashid Mahmood Soomro and others.
Speaking at the gathering, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman said deteriorating law and order had created fear among traders, affecting investment and economic growth. He said peace was essential for attracting investment and strengthening the economy.
He urged the government to reduce dependence on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and rely more on domestic resources. He said confidence in local traders and industrialists could help the country overcome its debt burden.
The JUI-F chief said Islam provided a complete economic system and stressed the need to implement it. He added that ending the interest-based system would bring clear economic benefits.
Referring to constitutional provisions, he said the abolition of interest by 2028 was now part of the Constitution and warned that failure to implement it would amount to a constitutional violation.
JUI-F stood with the trader community and would continue to support efforts aimed at economic stability, he said, according to a statement of Media Cell, JUI-F Sindh on Sunday.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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