‘Benazir’s reconciliation policy can serve as basis for Charter of Economy’

ISLAMABAD: Rehman Malik Foundation Chairman Ali Malik has said a national reconciliation policy needs to be formulated and implemented to pull Pakistan out of its quagmire of problems, adding that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s policy of national reconciliation could serve as the basis for a Charter of Economy.

“A national reconciliation policy can be the basis of a balanced economy as only through reconciliation we can get the country out of problems.”

These views were expressed by Rehman Malik’s son Ali Malik along with his brother Umar Malik, who is the head of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Digital Media Islamabad, while talking to Jang/The News on the occasion of the death anniversary of former interior minister Rehman Malik.

Ali Malik and Umar Malik said their father always spread the message of reconciliation of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and adhered to it. “His good relations with all political parties and stakeholders were a clear proof that he preferred reconciliation.”

Umar Malik said if there is political instability in the country, it will impact country’s economy. “The foundation of the economy will be strengthened only through political stability as a strong economy is the engine of development,” he emphasised.

He said the government is trying to revive the economy. “Pakistan’s economy is import-based. Due to high imports, the growth of the economy is artificial. For real economic stability, the economy needs to be export-based,” he said.

He pointed out that a major obstacle in the way of foreign direct investment is unnecessary restrictions and regulations by regulators.

Umar Malik was of the view that unless regulators create facilities for foreign investors, foreign investment cannot flourish in the country. “An investor friendly policy must be adopted with foreign investors. Deregulation is needed to promote investment,” he stressed.

Along with this, he said, facilities should also be created for local investors. “Public-private partnership is also necessary for economic stability as the public-private partnership increases the confidence of commercial banks,” he said.

He further said public-private partnership is very important in the health and education sectors. He said an economic emergency is being imposed in a country such as America, but no attention is being paid to this in Pakistan.

Rehman Malik Foundation Chairman Ali Malik said Rehman Malik Foundation is associated with the Institute of Research and Reforms, adding that problems are identified through the IRR platform and solutions proposed.

He said, on the occasion of the death anniversary of his father, “we are launching a project to provide free clean water and health dispensaries in Jhelum and its surrounding areas. “The ownership of this project will be given to the people there so that these projects do not stop functioning and the people continue to get facilities,” he said.