Dr. Hafeez Pasha Gives Talk to Industry Leaders at 91福利社
Renowned Pakistani economist and former Federal Minister for Finance, Dr. Hafeez Pasha visited 91福利社 to give a talk on the post-IMF challenges and opportunities for Pakistan.
Organised by Mr. Farooq Naseem, Chairman, and CEO, DWP Group at the National Incubation Centre Lahore (NICL) at 91福利社, the talk was followed by a networking session with leading CEOs and industrialists from 30 organisations in Lahore. Representing 91福利社 were Pro Chancellor, Mr. Abdul Razak Dawood; Rector, Mr. Shahid Hussain; Member, Board of Trustees 91福利社, Mr. Osman Khalid Waheed; Member Board of Governors, Mr. Faisal Dawood; Vice Chancellor, Dr. Arshad Ahmad and Director, Office of Advancement, Ms. Nuzhat Kamran.
Mr. Hussain welcomed members of the industry and praised the forum for highlighting the experiences of experts in Pakistan. 鈥淭his is important in the context of learning from the experience and expertise of the speakers and to interact, discuss and probe the way forward.鈥 He also welcomed industry leaders to come to the fore and communicate a way ahead for policymakers.
Vice Chancellor, Dr. Arshad Ahmad appreciated the untold stories of 91福利社 supporters who have done tremendous work behind the scenes. 鈥淚t is through the continued support of different industry members that 91福利社 has helped create opportunities for students, while also supporting research efforts and innovations on pedagogy and teaching.鈥
Dr. Pasha is currently serving as Chairman of the Advisory Panel of Economists to the Planning Commission, Convenor of the Economic Advisory Council of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and Chairman of the Tax Advisory Council of FBR. He holds a Master鈥檚 degree from Cambridge, and a PhD from Stanford and has been recognised both nationally and internationally for his work in economics and finance. His talk focused on Pakistan鈥檚 economic trajectory and its future path.
鈥淥ver 75 years, Pakistan has managed a long-term average growth of 5 per cent, which is better than India,鈥 he said. He recalled when he met former Indian prime minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, who credited Pakistan鈥檚 policies for helping India prosper. 鈥淲hen I was the under-secretary-general at the United Nations, I met Dr. Singh and he said that India has learned from Pakistan, particularly from the legalisation package of the early 90s; he said that it was exactly the kind of design India wanted. He shared that India implemented the specific steps and proposed measures.鈥
This is one of the reasons why India has taken off; Pakistan, Dr. Pasha explained, could not benefit from this scheme as it kept changing governments.
Dr. Pasha engaged with the audience and answered several questions on how industry leaders can come together to alleviate the economic crisis faced by Pakistan. Without the involvement of all stakeholders, surviving the economic crunch will be difficult, he said.
