Caretaker cabinet visits LCCI, vows to ensure economic growth

LAHORE: In a rare interaction with private sector, caretaker Punjab cabinet on Tuesday expressed the resolve to work hand-in-hand with business community to ensure economic growth.

Members of the cabinet delegation, led by Caretaker Finance Minister Syed Zia Haider Rizvi, were speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI). Caretaker Minister for Industries Mian Anjum Nisar, Minister for Energy & Irrigation Zafar Mahmood, Minister for Labour, Transport & Livestock Mian Nauman Kabir, Home Minister Shaukat Javed, Minister for Agriculture Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan, Minister for Housing Saeedullah Baber and Minister for Human Rights & Minorities Chaudhry Faisal Mushtaq were members of the delegation, while LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid, Vice President Zeshan Khalil, representatives of the Punjab chambers were also present.

Zia Haider Rizvi said on the occasion that trade and industry was the major areas of interest for the Punjab government. He said that a mechanism had been evolved to run the affairs smoothly. He said that the federal government had been asked to give share to Punjab in taxes on petroleum and other goods that are being consumed in this province. "We are doing what we can to resolve the issues of the businessmen of Punjab, as they are backbone of the economy,: Rizvi said and added that harassment to business community is not acceptable.

He said that the caretaker government of Punjab wants to develop a roadmap for the upcoming government.

Industries Minister Mian Anjum Nisar said that though caretaker government was in place for a limited period of time, it was facilitating the business community.

He said that the issues of LESCO, unscheduled load-shedding, low gas pressure, establishment of new industrial estates and cost of doing business had been raised.

He said that stakeholders must be taken on board in policy formation while trust building of local investors is need of the hour.

He said that the LDA related issues should be resolved and industrial areas should not be sacrificed for setting up residential colonies. He also called for early settlement of refunds.

Energy and Irrigation Minister Zafar Mahmood said that water and power are the subjects of the federal government. "Our responsibility is their judicious distribution." He said that proposals of business community would always be welcomed.

Transport & Livestock Minister Mian Nauman Kabir said that seven to eight thousands pending cases of social security would be settled through formation of an Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee.

A strategy is being evolved regarding parking plazas. He said that 90 per cent poultry products and around 60 per cent meat is being produced in Punjab. He invited the private sector to invest in the livestock sector.

Home Minister Shaukat Javaid said that law and order situation is a must for economic development of any country. The Punjab government is taking all possible measures in this regard.

Agriculture Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan said that majority of Punjab cabinet members were from the business community and it is a rare opportunity for the private sector to avail benefits from it. He said that the Punjab caretaker government is committed to serving the business community.

Housing Minister Saeedullah Baber said that LDA, WASA and PHA related issues of business community must be resolved at the earliest and business community should not be facing cumbersome procedures. He also suggested formation of a body to resolve these issues on priority.

Human Rights and Minorities Minister Chaudhry Faisal Mushtaq called for good policies on social welfare and Baitul Maal issues. He said that protection of human rights is also important for economy as it is demand of the EU GSP Plus scheme. He said that organisations working in social sector are being encouraged.

LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid termed the visit of Punjab cabinet to Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry a historic moment and the best example of the public-private partnership.

He said that Punjab is considered the linchpin of Pakistan's economy and it has highest contribution in the GDP of the country. The economic growth of Pakistan heavily depends on the economic performance of Punjab.

He said that the Election Commission of Pakistan bars the caretaker government from taking any major policy decisions, but the current system does give the caretaker ministers some room to lay out important guidelines for the future governments in terms of making the public sector processes more efficient and business friendly.

He said that issues of double taxation, misuse of discretionary powers, lack of pro-business attitude or harassment, weak implementation of policies, lengthy procedures, delaying tactics, encroachment, and parking issues etc, should be resolved at the earliest.

On demand of the LCCI president, the provincial cabinet agreed to establishing LDA Facilitation Desk at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Former LCCI presidents Mian Shafqat Ali, Sohail Lashari, former Vice President Syed Mahmood Ghaznavi also attended the meeting.