The PPP co-chairman has once again called for an economic charter.
Co-chairman of the PPP says he’d be down to sign the Charters of Democracy and Economy
LAHORE — PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari claimed on Friday that he had not defrauded anyone and that he had no intention of cheating the PML-N.
Following speculation that his party may leave the government coalition in order to strengthen its influence in its traditional bastion of Punjab, the PPP leader’s comments came as no surprise.
Along with All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Patron-in-Chief Gohar Ejaz, he was making a press appearance in Lahore.
During his meeting with the association’s representatives, he extended an invitation to the country’s most influential textile magnates to join his administration’s economic and financial leadership team.
The need for an economic charter was another point driven home by Zardari. The PPP co-chairman requested that the business community develop the charter and lobby for its adoption by political parties independently.
The first person to sign the charter, he said, would be himself. Zardari urged that a phrase be included in the charter of economics allowing legal action to be taken against any violators.
He even offered the “cricketer” (former prime minister Imran Khan) to sign an economic charter, he said. Imran and his people were completely business-illiterate. They were incompetent,” he went on.
Zardari said that he had told the “cricketer” to treat them whatever he saw fit, so long as he signed the economic charter. However, he ignored the warnings.
The previous president said that elections were about to be held and invited those present to join his team so that they may continue using their skills in government.
He went on to say that the PPP would prefer to have members of its own party serve in the positions of textile minister (commerce and trade minister) and finance minister if given the opportunity.
The business community, Zardari argued, should take charge of trade policy, and the president would appreciate a partner who can tell him “no” directly.
He said that it was of no consequence to him who people voted for, since they were free to do as they pleased in a democratic republic.
The PPP co-chairman has pledged to level the playing field for businesses if given the opportunity.
Zardari said that the ice between Riyadh and Tehran had melted, bringing with it the possibility of a pipeline from Iran.
He also mentioned that they will be able to get LNG from it once the final 50 miles of the pipeline were built.
The PPP co-chairman claimed that importing fuel from Iran will lower input costs, increasing the competitiveness of domestic businesses.
He mentioned wanting to grow cotton in Jhal Magsi. He then remarked, “It would be on par with Egyptian cotton.”
If the government had listened to Zardari, he said, things would have gone more smoothly with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) arrangement.
He stressed the importance of paying attention to the agricultural industry.
The PPP leader claimed there was a global financial crisis at the moment, which Pakistan should take advantage of.
He also emphasized the importance of improving the country’s educational system to accommodate the needs of the manufacturing industry.
Zardari noted that the fishing industry has enormous potential.
He also mentioned carbon crediting as a source of wealth.
He mentioned that ten years ago, mangroves were a major priority.
“Today, after 10 years, the mangroves are producing Rs4.5 billion in carbon credits and we will continue receiving this amount,” he added.
Zardari insisted that Bangladesh’s position as the world’s biggest exporter of textiles was largely an illusion.
He claimed that Indian goods were shipped to Bangladesh under the “made in India” label to boost Dhaka’s economy.
The textile manufacturers notified Zardari of the issue being experienced by their industry.
In order to save the textile sector, the APTMA demanded that the government reinstate the regional competitive energy prices (RCEP) that had been in place before to the 2023-24 budget revisions for gas and electricity.
To alert the government to the seriousness of the situation, the APTMA recently sent a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and simultaneously launched a media campaign.
The former president was briefed by APTMA members on a wide range of issues during his visit, from the difficulties facing the industry to the fall in cotton yield.
Members of the APTMA conveyed their appreciation to the outgoing president with a standing ovation.
