Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW)

Ex-servicemen asks Govt to immediately respond to Waziristan situation: PEW

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Army has cleared S Waziristan, ball in Govt’s court now: PESA
Terrorists wants disturbance to foil military gains in FATA
Secretary General of the Pakistan Ex-servicemen Association (PESA) Brig. Syed Masood-ul-Hassan on Tuesday said army has cleared almost all of the South Waziristan of terrorists and restored peace.
Overnight stay of Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif, along with Corps Commander Gen. Hidayat ur Rehman, DGMO Gen. Aamir in a place like South Waziristan proves restoration of peace, he said.
Brig. Syed Masood-ul-Hassan said in a statement that 11th Core has done its job and now government as well as local administration to do their job lest the sacrifices of army go in vain.
Destruction has always remained easy as compare to construction, he said while talking to Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President of the Pakistan Economy Watch.

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Iran, US nuke deal brings new opportunities, challenges to Pakistan: PEW

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COAS timely statement on economic corridor, Gwadar port lauded
Pakistan has ability to counter unholy Indian designs
The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Sunday said nuclear deal between Iran and US will have many implications for middle east and south Asia for which our policymakers should remain prepared.
The agreement will end Indian dependence on Pakistan for a lang route to Afghanistan and central Asian markets.
On the other hands, India, having nineteen times more foreign exchange reserves than Pakistan has initiated serious efforts to develop Iranian port of Chahbandar as an alternate to Gwadar port, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.
Moreover, It has already completed 200 km road linking Iran’s Nimroz province with Afghanistan’s Farah province which is part of its plan to gain foothold in Iran and Afghanistan against Pakistan.

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Policies ensuring uniform progress demanded: PEW

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The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Tuesday said governments across the world including Pakistan are ignoring poor in their struggle for better economic growth which has triggered poverty on massive scale.
Government should revisit policies and consider increasing social sector budget for the welfare of chronic poor to reduce growing inequality, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.
He said that there are around one billion poor in Asia in which 660 million are very poor. Majority of world’s poor lives in Saarc region with women in majority.
Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that reason behind poverty among women are indifferent attitude of policymakers, gender inequality, lack of education and microcredit facilities, apathy towards SMEs and preference of politics over trade. read more…

Removal of officials by Sindh Govt termed eyewash: PEW

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Influential serving different departments spared
Half-hearted action not to bring change
The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Monday termed recent removal of top officials alleged of corruption or incompetence an eyewash as many influential having right political connections have been saved.
Pakistan have placed their faith in the provincial government but it continues to disappoint them by taking steps that are not transparent nor across the board which has made it a publicity stunt, it said.
Services of the corrupt or incompetent officials known for misusing funds and authority must be terminated, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW. read more…

Determination of COAS to improve situation lauded: PEW

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Tough decisions improving business climate
The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Friday said COAS Gen. Raheel Sharif is bailing out country from the worst crisis of its history which has aroused hopes among masses and the business community.
Resolve of the COAS to resolve serious problems has a positive impact on the sentiments of the masses and business community, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.
He said that nation fully back the decision to establish write of the state all over country, adding that tough decisions have boosted the rating of COAS. read more…

Institutional ciulture be changed to get budget targets

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Budget discourages black economy, promote documentation
Economic corridor to enhance individual earnings, Govt revenue
The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Sunday said government must change culture of the institutions to get budget targets.
Pakistan need enlightened and responsible civil service to reduce budget deficit and inflation and enhance revenue collection, it said.
Deteriorating institutions and venal bureaucracy is the biggest hurdle in broadening the tax base, said Chairman of the PEW Sheikh Naseerul Haq.
Budget focuses on reducing the fiscal deficit from 5% to 4.3% of the GDP; raising the tax revenues by 17.46% from Rs 2,910,180 million to Rs 3,418,221 million from the last to current financial year.

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Pakistani ports obstructing maritime commerce: PEW

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The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Saturday called for increased focus on developing ports to ensure smooth flow of merchandise and stimulation of economic activities.
Country is passing through challenges while economy is under pressure due to various reasons including congestion of ports which remains one of the main hurdles to economic growth, it said.
Pakistan should allocate extra resources for development of ports which are handling 90 per cent of the nation’s external trade to unleash a new era of maritime commerce, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.
He said that ports needs a major policy transformation as it holds the key to growth of most sectors like manufacturing, agriculture and trade.
Port Qasim handling around 37 per cent of the nation’s cargo is earning good profit but the progress is slow while procedures have become a problem.

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SWOT Analysis of the Federal Budget (2015-16): PEW CHAIRMAN

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Country’s system tilted in favour of high society: PEW

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Plan to sell profitable power utilities must be reconsidered
Masses shouldn’t be left at the mercy of merciless capitalists
The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Sunday said the existing system is exploitative, anti-masses and titled in favour of nobility which is damaging country steadily.
Masses are being squeezed to promote the interests of irresponsible elite who have become parasites on the national resources, it said.
Accountability, reforms and increasing tax base have become catchy slogans while privatization has become a tool to plunder national resources, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.
K-Electric is getting cheap gas, low-cost electricity from national grid, subsidy, loans worth 130 billion rupees but it has failed to deliver which has been proved through harsh statements by federal and provincial ministers, he added.

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Country has no future sans meaningful reforms in FBR: PEW

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Nobility got tax exemption worth 4.7 trillion in 2014
Forex reserves increased due to soaring loans
The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Wednesday said Pakistan has no future in absence of meaningful reforms in FBR and some other critical institutions.
Pakistan is not a failing state, it can sustain and flourish for which wealthy class parasitic upon the labour of the masses must be made to pay taxes, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.
He said that nobility enjoyed tax exemptions worth 4.7 trillion in 2014 which was almost double than the exemptions grants in 2013.
Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that masses are being systematically exploited to benefit the aristocracy which has increased gulf between poor and rich.
He said that development requires capacity building of institutions, broaden tax base, ensuring justice and just distribution of resources, and provision of enabling environment to the business community.

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