By Asad Cheema
ISLAMABAD: The All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF), while taking serious note of the malicious campaign against the armed forces, has expressed full solidarity with the Pakistan army, warning of creating division between the military and the public, saying the business community is standing with them.
APBF President Syed Maaz Mahmood, in a written statement issued here today, observed that political stability and law and order are the pre-requisite for the strengthening of the national economy and must for the survival of the country and this hateful drive is actually aimed at creating ciaos and uncertainty in the country.
He said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project is an outcome of sacrifices of the Pakistan Army and the people of Pakistan.
The strategic ties between Pakistan and China have been on an upward trajectory with moved thrust on economic interaction after the initiation of CPEC project since 2013. He said the success in the war against terrorism was because of the sacrifices of the army and law enforcement agencies.
APBF Chairman Ibrahim Qureshi observed that the visible improvement in the law and order situation and execution of development projects, including CPEC, was the result of sacrifices rendered by the security forces. He said that the efforts for the country’s integrity, solidarity and peace and stability were going on in the right direction and had borne encouraging results.
Syed Maaz Mahmood said that Pakistan is becoming a more business-friendly place due to restoration of peace with the great efforts of the armed forces. From the perspective of economic security, Pakistan’s economic security scores up by 220 percent in 2019 compared to 2010, showing an overall trend of growth.
The construction of SEZs, industrial estates across the country, infrastructure and roads development, railways network and also the progress in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has greatly boosted public confidence, stimulating domestic demand and escalating industrial production. Foreign investors’ sentiments about the investment and operating conditions in Pakistan, in comparison with regional countries have shown notable improvement, he added.
Moreover, participation of Pakistani contingent, their level of expertise and their continued large scale contribution to the UN peacekeeping operations is also appreciable and praiseworthy, he stated.
Syed Maaz Mahmood said: the APBF expresses complete confidence in the defense institution’s position to uphold the constitution and rule of law at all cost.
He said that people of Pakistan have complete trust and faith in Pakistan Army who is aware of its responsibilities and he firmly believed that it would continue to defend territorial integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan against all internal and external threats under all circumstances.
“The APBF also pays tribute to the sacrifices of officers and men for the security of borders and the safety of the masses. We condemn the propaganda campaign by some quarters to malign the Pakistan Army and create division between the institution and the public,” he said.
The business community understands the national security of the country is the foremost priority and our army always stands by the state institutions to guard them, he added.
The APBF President also expressed his full support to Chief of Army Staff’s statement that the US and Europe are Pakistan’s main economic and trading partners. He said that Pakistan’s biggest trading partners are the European Union and the United Kingdom at approximately $15.8 billion exports per year, while Pakistan’s exports to the United States are worth $6.5 billion. He said that Pakistan greatly values its partners, however, in order to increase exports further we need to explore new markets.
