ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf central leader Jahangir Tareen Mondaysaid Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), after forming federal government,would have to take extraordinary steps to bail out Pakistan from thecurrent economic crunch.
Talking to Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) Chief Executive Mian KashifAshfaq, Jahangir Tareen said in a first development, the newly electedgovernment would go for the bailout package to improve its reserves.
After addressing these issues, the government will switch over forrestoring competitiveness of the economy that need 20-25 years and badlyrequired improving skill of the workforce and educating the people, said apress release issued by PFC.
He said PTI should improve the tax policy, which should encourage formingnew industrial units in the country. He said that Jehangir Tareencategorically told that all existing board of directors of all autonomousand semi-autonomous bodies will be restructured with best of the best worldclass technocats to make them result oriented entities.
Jahangir appreciating role of PFC for promotion of local furniture industrygave assurance to its chief Mian Kashif of all government support forpromotion of furniture sector. He said “Pakistan is blessed with abundantresources and our people are equipped with the best skills that can helpdevelop the country on modern lines.”
He said skilled craftsmen can create unique pieces while large scalefactories can produce many identical units – in both cases adding to theemployment. “I am delighted to support the Pakistan Furniture Council, abody committed to promoting Pakistani skill and craftsmanship, as well ascreating international linkages to encourage trade,” he remarked.
He also said their government would appoint honest, hardworking and verywell experienced persons in all the government, semi-government andautonomous departments to revive the economy of the country.
He said they would revamp Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) togive push to local industry besides making it possible that all funds wouldbe used to promote Pakistan- handmade world class furniture items ininternational markets.
Mian Kashif Ashfaq congratulating him for victory in general elections saidhe is much optimistic that PTI government would utilize all availableresources to promote furniture sector in Pakistan. He said this sector isbadly neglected by the previous governments and due to the apathy of theconcerned authority
He said we need policies to protect the furniture sector so that we cangrow in the correct manner. We currently cannot compete with the Chinesemarket because of their prices which is largely due to the availability ofskilled labour.
“China for instance has over a thousand technical schools, and enroll atleast eleven million people with the support of their government to ensurethey set up programs that will support the local industry,” he added. Hestressed the need for the government and the Pakistani people to increasetheir patronage of furniture products made by local industry.
PFC Chief said that if the required support was given to manufacturers andbrands to reach out to international market, Pakistan’s industry wouldcontribute to the economy and furniture products would be consideredleaders in the international market.
Senator Muhammad Sarwar, Asim Nazir,MNA elect,Ch Muhammad Ashfaq,Centralvice President PTI and PFC Secretary Aqul Sardar were also present on theoccasion. – APP