Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has stated that the government and the military are on the same page. He made these comments in his meeting with a delegation of business leaders in Rawalpindi on Wednesday.
A news report in Dawn cited participants as saying that the meeting was held in a ‘comfortable and cordial’ atmosphere, according to participants.
The main aim of the meeting was to discuss ways to bring an economic revival and develop confidence between the government and business community.
The COAS spoke to the attendees briefly in the meeting, with Financial Adviser Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Federal Board of Revenue Chairman Shabbar Zaidi and Minister Economic Affairs Division Hammad Azhar by his side.
The COAS said that government and the military were on the same page and asked business leaders to ‘look ahead’ to solve the problems of the economy.
He informed attendees that ‘years of excess’ would not change overnight, and that things would take time to rectify.
According to an ISPR press release, the COAS also informed participants about the improved internal security environment of the country which had created space for greater economic activity.
Following General Bajwa, Hafeez Shaikh gave his comments and stated that he had returned to Pakistan after leaving lucrative positions in Dubai and New York. He added, “I believe this is a pivotal moment and we have the chance to make a difference.”
After comments from government officials, businessman Mian Mansha called for privitisation, citing the burden on the national exchequer due to the losses faced by state-owned enterprises.
Participants also spoke about National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) interference in business activities.
A participant who was among the attendees said that he felt that such meetings would continue with both the COAS and the prime minister.