PRICE HIKES- UNEMPLOYMENT AND CRISE

ISLAMABAD TONIGHT

WITH NADEEM MALIK

18-01-2011

TOPIC- PRICE HIKES- UNEMPLOYMENT AND CRISES

GUESTS- HUMAYON AKHTER KHAN, ARIF HABIB, HINA RABBANI KHAR, AHSAN IQBAL

HUMAYON AKHTER KHAN OF PML said that there was some improvement in Pakistan economy with IMF money but it is not capitalized. He said that government has borrowed more money in last three years than the whole previous history of the country. He said that it is time for all political parties to be united to have consensus on an economic charter for the country. He said all those sectors which are not taxed should be taxed. He said that Pakistan can generate from one billion to three billion from agriculture sector and two to three billion from real estate sector. He said that government is borrowing too much money from the banks and this practice should be stopped right away.

ARIF HABIB A BUSINESSMAN said that the main problem of Pakistan is the budget deficit which is making the problems worst. He said that no party has clear majority in national assembly and that is another cause of bad economic situation of the country. He said that because of the lack of majority no party is in the position to take free and bold economic decisions. He said that political parties do not have the will to take steps for the betterment of the economy. He said that time has come to quit politics and take serious steps to improve the economic situation of Pakistan. He said that all subsidies should be abolished right away and solid steps should be taken to increase the income of common man. He said that wealth tax will further deteriorate the economy of Pakistan.

HINA RABBANI KHAR OF PPPP said that from June 2010 to now the economy of Pakistan is going towards backward. She said that flooding did a serious damage to Pakistan’s economy. She said because of the shortage of the gas electricity generation is also effected. She said that gas is a cheaper source to generate electricity. She said that Pakistan is going through a difficult economic time. She hoped that the budget deficit will be less than its target.

AHSAN IQBAL OF PML (N) said that the excessive government expenses are the main cause of budget deficit. He said that corrupt people are appointed in state corporations. He said that PML (N) demands thirty percent cut in government expenses and kick off the corrupt management of state corporations. He said Pakistan do not have a poor economy it is pretty rich we just need good management. He said that government needs to plug the leakages and eradicate the corruption. He said that Pakistan can only grow with private investments but the stories of the corruption of the rulers are keeping the international investors away.