The All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF) will be orchestrating a high-profile conference inLahore, on the 8th of September, 2016, to discuss, The Impact of Violent Extremism on Pakistan’s Economy and Private Sector Solutions. The core committee of APBF, along with the renowned industrial leaders, entrepreneurs, and government officials will endeavor to find effective solutions by inspiring a collective initiative from Pakistan’s private sector to resolve business challenges created by violent extremism.
The President of APBF – Mr. Ibrahim Qureshi stated that; “APBF is seriously concerned and committed to overcoming the negative impact of violent extremism on our society. By discussing the issue of violent extremism and its effects on the business sector, the stakeholders can suggest viable solutions to develop a roadmap and a perpetual mechanism to ensure safer and progressive business operations in Pakistan. The business-community and government institutions can suggest effective measures to stop financial support for violent extremism.”
Pakistan has incurred huge financial losses due to violent extremism – (nearly 106.9 billion US Dollars in 15 years – Economic Survey of Pakistan 2014-15). Since the business community is one of the major contributors towards economic development, it acts as the backbone of the country and has been severelyaffected. Hence, remedial activities and powerful strategies are needed to build confidence and achieve sustainable growth.
APBF national-board members, city-board members, corporate members, associate members, heads of traders’ association and market experts across Pakistan held several consultative meetings to let the business community understand and create awareness about the menace of violent extremism, its scale and how it has impacted their businesses, production capacities, sales and services. The idea of ‘safe-charity’ was especially focused on and everyone agreed that the business communityshould be very cautious about the misuse of charities being collected from the markets and businesses by devious groups who use these funds to promote violent extremism.
APBF is holding this first-ever conference to address the challenges arising from violent extremism. It will facilitate insightful deliberations and wisdom-sharing exercises, engaging the industrial leaders and prominent entrepreneurs. The conference will feature plenary discussions and concurrent thematic deliberations with valuable input from all stakeholders, like; the Chambers of Commerce, Anjuman-e-Tajiraan, Local Market Associations, Security Providers, Media, Political Parties, Academia and Researchers.
APBF is a vibrant business association, with representation from numerous industries and business-sectors. Thousands of APBF members and participating entrepreneurs are collectively promoting and protecting the interests of the business community in Pakistan. The association also advises the government on policy formulation, regulatory realignments, economic reforms and implementation, to ensure better quality of life for the common citizens.
Violent extremism and crimes are menaces that have affected Pakistani society, more than any other country. The violent attacks on the business-centres, military establishments, public places, educational institutions, hospitals and recreational places are taking innocent lives and destroying valuable properties, with a debilitating effect on the socio-economic activities and investments across the country. Over the years, violent extremism has disrupted Pakistan’s economic and trading activities, resulting in higher costs of business with reduced and delayed productivity. As a result, Pakistani products have gradually lost their global market share.
