Foreign investment and return of capital welcome for economy; Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Practical steps are necessary to solve the problems of the poor people; Azhar Siddique, It is important to respect each other in political differences; Bahramand Tangi, Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts are important to reduce tensions in the region; Air Vice Marshal (retd) Sajid Habib

By Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will fully support Saudi Arabia and strongly condemn any attack against the Kingdom, Editor-in-Chief Pakistan Group of Newspapers and Chairman Roze News SK Niazi said while speaking in his renowned talk show Sachi Baat. He said Pakistan’s external conditions were very good, but internal issues needed to be addressed. He stressed that foreign money should be brought back to the country and that efforts were needed to strengthen the economy from within.

Speaking in the programme, Mirza Ikhtiar Baig Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan said, Pakistan was moving towards development, but new employment opportunities must be created to provide relief to the people. He said rising petrol prices and inflation had caused serious concern among citizens, while better economic policies were required to achieve sustainable growth.

Mirza Ikhtiar Baig said Pakistan should focus on increasing its GDP growth target from around three per cent to five or six per cent. He stressed that agriculture and industry must be promoted together and production in the agricultural sector should be increased. The situation of farmers, he said, remained disturbing and required immediate attention.

He said imports of raw materials should be facilitated to promote local industry and increase production. According to him, different sectors of the economy needed to be developed to achieve higher growth and create employment opportunities.

Mirza Ikhtiar Baig also stressed the importance of providing accurate information to the public instead of creating confusion. He said awareness about products and opportunities among the youth was essential and expressed hope that better results would be achieved in the next phase of economic reforms.

Discussing foreign policy and diplomacy, Mirza Ikhtiar Baig said Pakistan had played an important diplomatic role during tensions between the United States and Iran. He said Pakistan’s diplomatic achievements should also be converted into economic benefits. He stressed greater cooperation with Muslim countries and friendly states and said Pakistan was receiving opportunities for economic cooperation and investment.

He said Saudi Arabia had shown interest in the Reko Diq project and Pakistan should further develop economic cooperation with the Kingdom. Efforts should also be made to increase oil supplies from Saudi Arabia on deferred payment, while Pakistan should seek economic relief from friendly countries.

Mirza Ikhtiar Baig said Pakistan should also benefit economically from its relations with the United States and other international partners. He called for progress on trade and economic relations with the US, completion of the pending trade agreement with Turkey and creation of new opportunities for Pakistani textile exports.

At the same time, Mirza Ikhtiar Baig said prospects for foreign investment in Pakistan had improved and the return of capital to the country was a positive development. Increased foreign investment, he said, could support economic growth and create new opportunities for cooperation with friendly countries.

Azhar Siddique, senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, while speaking in the programme, expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of the judicial system and said serious questions were being raised about the role and powers of the judiciary following constitutional amendments. He questioned whether major decisions of the Supreme Court and High Courts were producing the desired impact.

Siddique also called for transparency and accountability in government spending and demanded investigation into alleged corruption. He said government funds should be properly accounted for and alleged irregularities should be investigated through relevant institutions, including the FIA.

Comparing Pakistan with Iran, Siddique said the Iranian people had demonstrated courage and perseverance despite difficulties. He discussed the provision of electricity, gas, education and travel facilities and said Iran had taken long-term measures for agricultural development.

He criticised the protocol culture among political leaders and questioned government expenditure. He said simplicity and discipline should be reflected in the lifestyle of rulers and those practical measures, rather than statements, were needed to improve the country’s system.

Siddique said despite claims of economic stability, the common man was still facing inflation and a heavy tax burden. He questioned how a person earning Rs32, 000 a month could meet household expenses. He said motorcyclists were also affected by expensive petrol and petroleum levies, while the tax burden on low-income groups should be reduced.

He further called for an audit of development projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including major projects and hospitals. He said no political party should receive immunity from corruption allegations and accountability should be conducted without political discrimination.

Senator Behramand Tangi also raised questions over alleged corruption and irregularities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Referring to arms licence data, he said 482 licences had been issued between 1947 and 2013, while 430 were issued between 2013 and 2024. He called for transparency regarding subsequent figures.

Tangi said political differences should not be turned into personal or religious disputes and political leaders should use responsible language. He also called for investigation into alleged corruption in the health card system and development projects, saying public money must be protected.

He alleged that the cost of some projects had increased significantly and called for transparent investigations into expenditure. He said those responsible for corruption should be held accountable irrespective of political affiliation and money taken from the national treasury should be recovered.

Air Vice Marshal (retd) Sajid Habib said Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts were important for reducing tensions in the region. He said Pakistan had played an important role in negotiations between Iran and the United States and that resolving decades-old tensions would require sustained diplomatic efforts.

Sajid Habib said the diplomatic process must continue for lasting peace and that Pakistan’s efforts could help strengthen confidence among regional countries. He said Field Marshal Asim Munir’s visit was part of Pakistan’s broader diplomatic strategy.

He said Pakistan and Iran could make further progress through cooperation and dialogue, while official positions and verified information should be preferred over speculation. He also stressed increasing trade and border cooperation between the two countries.