Afridi urges businessmen to help improve country's image

Minister of State for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) and Narcotics Control, Shehryar Khan Afridi has said that business community should join hands with the government to improve the image of Pakistan abroad.

The traders are the key stakeholders in reviving ailing economy. He was sharing these remarks in a meeting with a delegation of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), says a press release issued here.

The delegation was led by President Saboor Malik and group leader Sohail Altaf, former president Jalil Ahmad Malik, Senior Vice President Nosherwan Khalil Khan and members of the executive committee were also present on the occasion.

The meeting discussed in detail the proposals, reforms and determining the right direction for resolving the problems linked with the business community. The consultation process and talks with the relevant stakeholders will be continued, the minister assured. A liaison committee will be set up at the chamber level to actively pursue the matters.

The business community should come forward and join hands with ministry for anti-narcotics awareness drives. There is need to promote the true image of the country outside Pakistan and business community can play a vital role here.

To control smuggling and drugs, we have launched intelligence-based operations against drug smuggling and peddling, he informed. Traders can share recommendations and suggestion to control such smuggling so that we can curtail it prior reaching smuggled goods to markets.

He lauded the RCCI efforts in promoting trade activities in the region and assured full support from his office in addressing their grievances. Earlier, President RCCI Saboor Malik lauded minister for his proactive approach in addressing core issues linked with the traders.

"We are happy to see the commitment and seriousness of government in resolving issues and addressing their grievances." He thanked the minister for listening to the problems of the business community in detail and issuing urgent instructions to the departments concerned and hoped that the government would continue to consult the stakeholders while realizing the ground realities.

He said that an integrated system should be brought in place to prevent smuggling. The raids on shops should be stopped, and the trader's honour and repute should not be compromised on the account of anti-smuggling drive. He also shared an update on the RCCI industrial estate, construction of link road and grid station, expo center, relocation of cottage industry, whole sale markets, etc.