Monitoring Desk: The presence of the Pakistan Army in the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has mitigated insecurities raised by foreign investors in the past and ensured security for foreign investors who were too shy to opt for Pakistan as an investment destination.
This was observed by analysts during a PTV Show “Chotha Satoon” anchored by senior anchorperson Jawad Faizi. The participants of the show that was broadcast on Friday discussed the role of the Pakistan Army in ensuring not only border security of the country rather ensuring economic security through supporting projects like SIFC. They hoped that the change of political governments in the future would not hamper national commitments granted to foreign investors.
Agriculturist Dr. Bashir and foreign expert Shazia Anwer Cheema were of the view that agricultural collaboration among Pakistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) would surely start a green revolution in the country and that all is being done under the direct support of COAS Gen Asim Munir who had a futuristic approach by planning food security in the country although it was not his professional duty therefore he is working beyond the call of his duty for the future of the country. Shazia Anwer Cheema was of the view that GCC countries had great opportunities to invest in the agriculture sector of Pakistan as the situation in Ukraine was not viable after the Ukraine-Russia conflict started. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE had been purchasing/ thinking of leasing arable lands in Ukraine for agriculture and livestock farming and considered in past Ukraine as their backyard food garden. “Pakistan can be their first and foremost option”, she commented.
Participants were of the view that for the first time, Pakistan is offering sustainable business opportunities to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and China under the banner of SIFC instead of demanding financial support from such friendly countries. They stated that the complexity of business regulations and bureaucratic hurdles were major reasons behind the dismal state of the economy and this situation compelled Pakistan to establish SIFC because large-scale overhauling of the system is time-consuming while the economic health of the country cannot survive in existing circumstances. Therefore, SIFC is the workable option to mitigate the complexity of business regulations and bureaucratic hurdles.
It may be mentioned that while addressing the National Farmer’s Convention on Friday, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and COAS Gen Asim Munir were of the view that the green revolution would change the economic dynamics of the country.
COAS was of the view that the farmers were the backbone of the country’s agriculture sector and their untiring hard work, toil, and determination ensured food security for millions of Pakistanis.
He said that climate change and water scarcity were realities that challenged Pakistan’s food security and necessitated the use of technology and close government-public collaboration as being done under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).
Referring to the natural resources of the country, COAS said that Allah Almighty had bestowed Pakistan with abundant blessings. He explained the green revolution initiative under SIFC and said that a significant portion of the income generated from the initiative will go to the provinces, while the rest will be allocated for farmers and agricultural research.
He highlighted the army’s role in serving the people and the farmers under this initiative. the army chief mentioned that agriculture malls will be established in all districts, providing farmers with various agricultural facilities.
He said that the initiative would ensure the provision of easy agricultural loans, a cold storage chain, climate-change-resistant seeds, and genetically engineered livestock to farmers.
