ICCI ADVISES PRESIDENT MUSHARRAF TO QUIT IN THE SUPREME NATIONAL INTEREST TO BRING STABILITY IN THE COUNTRY

Business community is very much upset due to prevailing downward slide of the economy being caused by political turmoil in the country, therefore, businessmen advise President Musharraf to show magnanimity and quit in the supreme national interest so that the country could come out of the lingering political and economic crisis, stated Muhammad Ijaz Abbasi, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry while discussing current political scenario with his Executive Committee members and business community at ICCI with special reference to its negative impact on business and industry.

ICCI President said businessmen want to see a strong democracy in Pakistan where all decisions are taken in larger national interest for the welfare of the people so that business activities could flourish and economy could grow. He said in democracy, all decisions are taken according to the wishes of majority of people and the electoral college of President of Pakistan comprising four provincial assemblies have already given their verdict against President Musharraf by passing resolutions while majority of members in National Assembly and Senate support their point of view which is a clear testimony to the fact that majority of people in Pakistan want President Musharraf to quit soon.

Muhammad Ijaz Abbasi said President Musharraf always kept one motto that “Pakistan comes first” and this is the high time that the President should take a magnanimous and pragmatic decision and practically demonstrate and mark sacrifice to honor people wishes. He invited President’s attention towards the prevalent economic/political crisis, which could result in mass unemployment leading to complete chaos and anarchy in the country.

ICCI President said Pakistan is faced with serious challenges of poverty, unemployment, rising inflation and high cost of doing business and to cope with these challenges, Pakistan needs domestic and foreign direct investment and a stable, peaceful and business friendly environment to lure investors. But the present political impasse is creating concerns in businessmen due to which foreign and domestic investors are pulling out their investment and Pakistan is witnessing huge outflow of capital from the country putting further constraints on already struggling economy.

He said a consensus has been developed by the nation that the resignation of the President will bring political stability in the country, which is very much required for economic prosperity of the nation. In the end, he hoped that President will review the current atmosphere and prefer resigning over impeachment so that the country could return to normalcy which is direly needed for promotion and growth of business activities and economic development

Executive Committee Members Munawar Iqbal, Abdul Ghaffar Chaudhry, Munawar Mughal, Muhammad Nasir Khan, Abdur Rehman Khan, Saghir A. Malik, Mehmood Ahmed Waraich, Khalid Mehmood Mian, Saif ur Rehman Khan, Khalid Malik, Muhammad Ilyas, Muhammad Shakeel Munir, Muhammad Ashfaq Chatta, Muhammad Hussain, Nisar Ahmed Mirza and other senior members Khalid Javed, Mian Akram Farid, Abur Rauf, Tariq Sadiq, Khalid Iqbal Malik and Zubair Ahmed Malik participated in the meeting. All members passed a resolution unanimously authorizing President ICCI to advise President Musharraf to immediately step down so that Pakistan could come back on track to move on the course of development and prosperity.

On this occasion, Presidents and Secretary Generals of Islamabad’s Traders Associations also approached ICCI President and expressed their concern over the deteriorating business activities in the country due to prevailing political turmoil. They demanded of ICCI President to advise President Musharraf to immediately step down in the national interest so that country could return to normalcy, which is a prerequisite for smooth business activities.