Pakistan’s leading businessmen met with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday and conveyed their reservations about Pakistan’s falling economy and the government’s unenthusiastic response to the concerns of the businessmen of the country.
According to a report in The News, the businessmen complained that the government only provided them with verbal assurances and engaged in no action to address their concerns.
Sources informed media that the COAS listened to the grievances of the business delegation and assured them that he would work to resolve their problems at the earliest.
He was of the view that an internal committee should be formed comprising of military officers that would work to solve the issues facing the delegates.
Moreover, the army chief told the business tycoons that they should cooperate with the government and not take sides with anti-government forces.
General Bajwa also praised the services of the business community of Pakistan, adding that their efforts would help Pakistan progress.
The delegates expressed their frustration at the government’s attitude towards the economy, informing the army chief that their business units were closing one by one, and that failure to employ remedial measures would drastically affect business and unemployment.
They requested the army chief to do something about the situation and that failure to do so would result in further deterioration of their problems.
The business delegation also informed the army chief that their business ventures were becoming economically infeasible due to the rising cost of doing business.
Among the attendees of the meeting were Arif Habib, Mian Mansha, Hussain Dawood, Ali Mohammad Tabba, Ali Jameel, Javed Chinoy, Zubair Motiwala, Ijaz Gohar, Aqeel Karim Dhedi, Zubair Tufail, Siraj Qasim Teli, Saqib Shirazi and some other textile tycoons.
The businessmen were also critical of NAB and FBR activities against them. They complained that FBR officials were making calls and paying unplanned visits.
They also complained that FBR was refusing to facilitate them citing low dollar reserves in the country.