We have been hearing these stories for the past 3 decades that a one-window system will be introduced for investment in Pakistan. In this regard, three governments PMLN and two governments of PPP have raised claims and slogans, but in the past, the one window system could not be established as was expected despite of the claims of previous governments.
In the system under which we are conducting our administration, there are many stereotypical rules and regulations that have been going on since the British era. In this regard, I covered many times in writings, speeches and suggestions that it is inevitable to abandon the 19th century methods and adapt ourselves under the modern system in order to deal with the challenges of the modern era. All countries are simplifying their system.
In order to implement this best practice, it will be necessary to urgently change some rules and regulations so that the one-window system can be successful and to create a committee under which bureaucrats are reluctant to make concessions to rules and regulations. Do not feel that apart from the senior NAB officer in the committee, the senior bureaucrats of Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Interior and FIA should also be part of this committee so that the rules and regulations can be relaxed from time to time.
This is a promising thing, based on which I would like to say based on my experience in the background of meetings with various rulers in the diplomacy of my time, that the fields or sectors that were initially chosen are excellent as Pakistan is naturally quite rich in agriculture, livestock, and minerals.
Here we should put forward the example of Australia, which is the world’s largest exporter of halal meat to the whole world, and it is also sent to Muslim countries, especially the Gulf countries. It has always been an important country for the countries, so Gulf countries will prefer to buy halal meat from Pakistan.
A few slaughterhouses were also allowed during my service in the UAE, which started the import of halal meat in the UAE. It does not require much effort, but only proper guidance and help to set up slaughterhouses and promote them globally.
In these fields, Pakistan also has countless resources and in these matters, important Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and China are also interested.
During my service as Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, the rulers of the emirates themselves expressed interest to me that they wanted to invest in Pakistan to make it their food basket, but they had concerns that when our investors, Pakistan If they go, they have to face 24 departments. Not only this but due to the rampant corruption at many administrative levels, investors from foreign countries are exposed to this nefarious process.
Pakistan is the country that has the ability to export such goods. Our becoming a nuclear power is no less than a miracle. Countless developed countries of the world, even the richest countries of the Gulf and Europe, have been sitting with the dream of becoming a nuclear power, but they could not fulfill the dream at any cost.
Here it is known to the entire nation that to become a nuclear force, it is the army that has been running this program with continuity, zeal and utmost diligence and sanctity. Many governments have come and gone, but Pakistan Army has consistently maintained this process to become a nuclear power.
If we can devise a system to become a nuclear power, there is no reason why a new body (Special Investment Facilitation Council) which has been established cannot achieve its goals with the support of the Army Chief General Asim Munir.
Every Pakistani is aware that in every calamity whether it is wind, storm, rain or flood, earthquake or any other disaster, in every difficult hour the Pakistan Army supports the civil administration.
Doesn’t this nation remember that when the FATF situation was deteriorating, the army supported and helped all the institutions to implement economic measures under which it was possible to get out of the gray list by meeting the goals of the FATF. Not only this, but there are countless such examples.
If Pakistan is currently in an economic disaster, why not try to bring the economy out of the ICU with lightning speed by including its most organized institution, the Pakistan Army, in the recovery plan, because if it is not done now, maybe time will get out of hand and that is why we say “if not now, then never”.
We know that some followers of democracy may not be satisfied with the support of the army, but this democracy has to operate according to the objective and environmental conditions so as to get support from all its functional institutions, but if possible, the engineering department of the army. The agriculture sector should be promoted by extension, in which China is also interested in providing full support to Pakistan.
In light of my experience, I have no qualms about saying that even before the establishment of the Special Investment Facilitation Council, the friendly countries would have indicated that if Pakistan were to develop a system that would maintain continuity. If so, they are ready to invest.
While serving in the UAE, I had a personal experience of the Emirate’s desire to establish an oil refinery in Gwadar and to use the agricultural sector for its food security.
If a few suggestions are implemented immediately, it is not a hope, but a belief that if not in a few hours, then in a few days, we can pave the way for foreign investment and in addition, dollars will start coming in using our own resources. My suggestions are as under:
1. In case of overseas Pakistanis bringing dollars to Pakistan, easy loans should be provided to the needy on at least 20% interest. Instant dollars can start rolling in.
2. Pakistan has seen a sharp decline in remittances from foreign countries due to Hundi, but the government has taken some good measures to encourage and honor Pakistanis living abroad, especially those working in the Gulf, and increased the remittances. We can make it possible.
3. During my service as Ambassador in UAE, we started giving special honors to those who sent Pakistan up to $ 10, 000, apart from awarding certificates of appreciation in the embassy, which resulted in substantial results and increased the remittances almost 3 times. Now it is possible to increase the remittance again under the same formula.
4. There is a Trade Development Authority in our country, the purpose of which is to promote exports, but their performance has always been disappointing and poor. This authority has been busy sucking the blood of small businessmen for unfair money. However, if Pakistani embassies in foreign countries are utilized and if the premises of Ambassadors’ houses are organized as a single country exhibition, then our small businessmen can also earn huge foreign exchange by selling their products from large containers or other sources, and this experiment was also done by me in Libya in the past and achieved substantial results. It has been done and it is possible to get huge amount in dollars immediately.
If the people of the nation of Pakistan see even a little ray of light, they can surely be helpful in getting their homeland out of this trouble by investing their money and resources, but for that, our rulers also need help in this difficult time. Kickbacks and bribery, which are major causes of our problems, must be avoided.
Translated by M.M. News Editorial Team
