CORPORATE WINDOW: Braced for turbulence

As the prime minister designate Shahbaz Sharif prepares to assume office in the upcoming National Assembly session this week, the business community of Pakistan is apprehensive about the potential challenges that lie ahead. Their support for the idea of a national unity government, which includes the Sunni Ittehad Council adopted by the PTI-backed winning independents, did not resonate with the political leadership of three main victorious parties in the elections earlier this month. Describing political manoeuvring as ‘dangerous games’, a senior business executive articulated his profound distrust of politicians, whom he deemed incapable of transcending their narrow self-interests. He emphasised, “The economic challenges, mounting debt, twin deficits and public discontent demand that politician set aside their petty hostilities and forge a cross-party consensus on a minimum economic programme. This is crucial to revitalising investor confidence and fostering collaboration with development partners. Without a robust economic plan supported by all parties, achieving sustainable growth may remain elusive.”