LAHORE
It is the mission of the government to provide people with opportunities. Everyone will have to support the government.
The government cannot achieve without cooperation of people. Proper planning, resources and designing are needed for increasing growth. It is very important to set the economy of the country on right path and for this purpose consultants and stakeholders should be taken on board.
These views were expressed by the speakers at a seminar on ‘Punjab Economic Forum Institutions for Growth and Equality’ jointly organised by Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman Memorial Society (MKRMS) of Jang Group of Newspapers and Planning and Development Department, Punjab Economic Research Institute and Development and Urban Unit (PERI).
Chief guest Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Punjab Finance Minister, guest of honour Muhammad Iftikhar, Director (P&D), Jang Health, Education and Current Affairs Senior Editor Wasif Nagi, Director PERI Mumtaz Anwar, Deputy Executive Director SDPI, VC UVAS Prof Talat Naseer Pasha, Director of Engineering and Executive Board of member Asia Pacific Forum Dr Talat Mahmood, Sahibzada Mian Muhammad Ashraf, advocate and Chairman Human Rights Forum Pakistan Cooperative and legal consultant High Court and others participated in the event.
Ayesha Ghaus Pasha said the government wanted to provide better opportunities to people by creating economic resources. “It is the purpose of the government to make people secure and strong from every aspect. To achieve the targets, stakeholders and consults should be taken on board. We will have to take growth rate from 7pc to 8pc. So that one million people get jobs,” the minister said.
She asked support from everyone and said the government required suggestions and cooperation to include them in policy making.
PERI Director Mumtaz Anwar said Punjab economic forum will ensure participation of researchers, agriculturists, practitioners, policymakers, stakeholders and professors of the varsities. “The steps which were taken in last year could be seen. What we did? What will we do? Such kind of forums should be conducted every year. Punjab government started many projects including Saaf Pani Project and others, he said.
Muhammad Iftikhar, Director (P&D), said: “We had more potential and capacity but did nothing. We did not make progress.
The growth rate is only 4pc to 5pc which is less. Loadshedding is a major problem. GDP will increase to one half percent if we control loadshedding.
Additionally, Punjab is facing worst kind of security challenges. People are facing 20 hours of loadshedding in rural areas. The situation in urban areas is not different than rural areas.”
Dr Waqar Ahmed said: “After 18th amendments the country faced many challenges. The government should solve the problems within no times.”
Dr Talat Mahmood said: “Societies are going to change. The country is passing through digital transformation. That is why the economical environment is being changed. Now, the world has become global village.
Internet is connected with social net work and physical infrastructure. The ecosystem of Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi is same like global ecosystem”.
Dr Talat Pasha said: “Around 58 percent population of our country depends on agriculture. Livestock is source of earning for villagers. Nutrition should be on top priority of our planning”.
Sahibzada Muhammad Ashraf said: “It is dire need to focus on policymaking and economic growth. Unfortunately, economy of the country was badly affected by terrorism”.
