LAHORE, JAN 14 (DNA) – Newly elected leadership of Federation of Pakistan Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Monday reposing full confidence in the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan and the armed forces of the country expressed hope that the defense of the country is in safe hands and the incumbent government has full potential and firm commitment to drive the country out of present economic crisis.

In a joint statement issued here today, SAARC CCI Senior Vice President and United Business Group (UBG) Central Chairman Iftikhar Ali Malik and FPCCI President Engineer Daroo Khan Achakzai said Prime Minister Imran Khan’s resolve to ensure strict accountability across the board is highly appreciated by the business community in particular and the masses in general. They urged the government to focus on addressing key economic issues on an urgent basis and pay special attention to problems of business community.

FPCCI President Engineer Daroo Khan Achakzai said Imran Khan has initiated meaningful reforms across all the important fields to make Pakistan prosperous and respected country which will help him winning hearts and minds of the people.

He further asked the government to promote domestic commerce to trigger economic growth. He said the government should also focus its attention on the neglected sector of domestic commerce which has thirty two percent shares in the GDP while it employs twenty percent of the workers.

He also assured the government of all due support in materializing the business friendly policies in the country.

Engineer Daroo Khan also appreciated the pivotal role played by armed forces in war against terrorism and paid tributes to the sacrifices rendered by officers and jawans. “The role played by armed forces of Pakistan in war against terrorism will be written in the annals of history in golden words as peace has been restored due to their remarkable sacrifices,” adding he said that mindset of terrorism and sectarianism should also be rooted out because it’s hindering the national progress and reiterated that this menace would be completely annihilated with the support of the nation.

United Business Group (UBG) Central Chairman and SAARC CCI Senior Vice President Iftikhar Ali Malik said the top leadership of business community called on Prime Minister Imran Khan, Finance Minister Asad Umar and Advisor to Prime Minister Abdul Razak Dawood separately and discussed in details the core issues being faced by the business community and all of them assured full support and commitment for resolving these issues.

He also appreciated Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa for restoration of peace in the country. He said the world should recognize the sacrifices of Pakistan in war against terrorism and our armed forces role in this regard is highly appreciable. He said no country can get progress without restoration of peace and our army played vital role in maintaining law and order situation of the country.

Iftikhar Malik said that higher exports are the only solution to get the country out of this crisis. It is the only way that can help repay debts otherwise the country would never be able to get out of the debt trap and would have to take fresh loans to service the principal amount and interest of the actual loans which is already over $93 billion.

With a view to increase exports, the government has to address major odds hurting our industry and exports such as high cost of doing business, availability of energy: both gas and electricity, at an affordable price as compared to our regional competitors, adequate supply of raw cotton, timely payment of Sales Tax and Income Tax Refunds to avoid liquidity problem, rupee-dollar parity, shortage of skilled manpower, lack of institutional support and infrastructure facilities, he concluded.