LAHORE - Pak-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) President Shah Faisal Afridi said here Monday that turbulence in pre-existing political frameworks would lead to macro imbalances within the country.
Commenting on the prevalent scenario which may cause catastrophic implications on country’s domestic economy in general and CPEC (China-Pak Economic Corridor) projects in particular, he viewed that government’s policies did not come into existence in minutes and seconds, as these required long duration to be accomplished.
“After screening through long tedious process, when these come in the implementation phase, some desirable, anti-growth, anti-developmental elements poke their nose and try to damage the whole fabric of development programmes,” he lamented.
Faisal Afridi added that public should be aware of the ultimate consequences of such political turbulence and therefore, take decisions accordingly, adding that people should understand that why the so called public well-wishers belonging to varied doctrines suddenly come into existence, who actually work for their master’s interests which in this case was quite visible.
The PCJCCI President explicated that China was becoming Pakistan’s largest trading partner and a major investor which had committed to invest USD 46 billion in a host of sectors including energy in Pakistan.
The Chinese government, he said, had also taken over operational control of Gwadar Port, which would help propel economic activities across Pakistan. He lamented that USD 46 billion investment in projects under the CPEC was an eyesore for many internal and external forces, who did not want to see progress and development in the country.
He mentioned that people, who were criticizing these developmental plans did not want to see the country, forming new roads, power houses, infrastructure, health and education.
Faisal Afridi urged the nation to pray to Almighty Allah to protect the country from intentions of the evil. He said that it needed to be realized by every single person of the Pakistani community that any social and political disorder in the current situation would rigorously eliminate the long-term commitments from foreign investors.
He asserted that Pakistan must continue with democratic process to get on track, good governance would not come automatically. He maintained that foreign investment could be attracted only when there was a good infrastructure, good governance, proper implementations of the laws and the legal protection of the investment.
All the investment would be withdrawn by investors if there was any political turmoil in the country, countries made progress when there was continuation of policies, he asserted.
The joint chamber President said, the major factors considered by investors while making their investment decisions are political stability and consistency of state policies in an effort to work in an investment-friendly environment.
Afridi also regarded political stability as pre-condition for the nation-building, and nation-building was a process necessary for the survival and development of a nation.