Despite the “extraordinary obstacles” that his administration has faced during its three years in power, Prime Minister Imran Khan has stated that Pakistan’s economic situation is still better than that of many other countries in the region, particularly India.
“In comparison to the rest of the world, Pakistan remains one of the cheapest countries… “They [the opposition] label us incompetent, but the fact is that our government has protected the country from all crises,” the prime minister remarked at the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (RCCI) 14th International Chambers Summit 2022 in Islamabad on Tuesday.
Oil prices in Pakistan, according to Prime Minister Imran, are still lower than in other countries.
He acknowledged that the country’s inflation was rising and that the people were suffering as a result, but he insisted that inflation was a global issue caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The prime minister insisted that his government’s “prudent measures” had saved the country from the “once-in-a-generation” threat of the Covid-19 pandemic. “Today, British Prime Minister [Boris Johnson] is following our policies to combat [coronavirus],” he stated, referring to his move not to place the country under complete lockdown.
The prime minister stated that his goal was to make “Pakistan a great nation,” not to become prime minister.
He also stressed that exports and tax collection were the two key driving forces for the country’s economic growth, on which the administration was completely focused.
He stated that the government was working hard to remove all barriers and bottlenecks that exporters, investors, and businessmen encounter, as well as to boost the export industry.
According to the prime minister, these sectors of the economy, which are critical for wealth generation, have received little attention in the past.
He said that the exports industry had been stagnant in the past, but that the current government was assisting exporters in every way possible, and that exporters should be rewarded with awards and other incentives.
He stated that if the country’s exports are not enhanced, the current account and currency will be under pressure once more.
Presidents from over 54 regular chambers, 10 minor chambers, and 13 women chambers attended the meeting. It was also attended by representatives from development partners, the international business sector, political parties, ministries, and government organisations.
The summit will allow businessmen to seek solutions to their problems as well as submit credible recommendations to stakeholders for the formation of a country-wide business-friendly strategy.
