President Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Sultan Ahmad Chwala,President SAARC CCI Tariq Sayeed and VP SAARC,CCI,Pakistan chapter and founder President Pak-US Business Council,Iftikhar Ali Malik who are currently attending a high level meeting of Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Egypt in a message received here from Cario emphasised the urgent need to assist Pakistan to overcome its economic crisis by restoring quota system for it at par with all other under developing countries. ..
“They said that President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, all political parties and people belonging to all walks of life in Pakistan always condemned the acts of terrorism worldwide and has been US active associate against the menace of terror. He said that Pak economy has been suffering a net loss of $ 7 billions annually in the aftermath of war against terror besides rendering millions of people displaced in addition to endangering the security in the country. He said that 3.5 million Afghan refugees are still camped in Pakistan which is lability on our territory. …
“They said US program of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZ) must be implemented instantly and make sure cent per cent buy back as 550 textile weaving,spinning,textile make-up and garments units with full infrastructure needs immediately rehabilitation and direct US market for stabilizing the national economy on war footings. …
“About power crisis,Sultan Ahmad Chwala said that US should provide technology for coal fired generating energy to Pakistan to meet our ever increasing demand for power which is badly needed for sustainable economic and agriculture growth. …
“Tariq Sayeed said that due to unrest and turmoil in neighbouring country, major chunk of Pak food stock is smuggled to Afghanistan which ultimately leads to acute goodgrain scarcity. He said that proper and timely USA assistance will ensure durable peace, stamp out terror besides strengthening the democratic system of government in Pakistan. …
“He said there is vast scope for US private sectors and investors in every sphere of life especially in agro, power, IT and textile sectors. He said that Pakistan fully supports US President Barack Hussein Obama for war against terror. He said Obama’s mechanism for holding parleys will also help a lot to eliminate extremism from the world. …
“Iftikhar Ali Malik said the US Chamber of Commerce (USCC) could play a pivotal role in this regard, being an important channel for trade ties between the two countries and link to American markets. He said that entire world especially the poor countries are confronting the worst ever economic recession after 2nd world war and this issue of vital importance is to be addressed on top priority to fully ensure peace and security in the world. …
“Pakistan, he said is an emerging market rich in opportunities for US investment,and observed that US is already an important trading partner. Iftikhar Ali Malik said Islam is a universal religion advocating peace,justice,brotherhood and equal rights for all human beings irrespective of their creed or colour, and abhors violence and terrorism. “There is a need to present Islam in its true perspective, and the Western media should play a positive role to dispel wrong notions that spread fear and mistrust,” he observed. …
“Iftikhar urged the need to restore relations to the level of pre 9/11 days, adding that good relations between the US and the Muslim Ummah would help restore confidence and attain world peace. With South Asia becoming the hub of international economic activity, restoration of peace in the region is all the more necessary,he observed, and urged the US President to exercise his influence in this connection and help find a just and permanent solution to the Kashmir issue as well..
Date:5/6/2009
Source:Pakistan Times