KARACHI, July 21: Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider on Sunday advised the businessmen to form a strong lobby and enter the legislative assemblies if they want to serve the country.

“You have all the opportunities, come forward and play an active role in national politics,” he said during a meeting with businessmen.

He said it was not the government but the businessmen themselves who should decide which way they wanted to go. He said the government wanted to solve the problems of the businessmen. They should, however, have a platform to raise their voice and give suggestions to the government in making of the social and economic policies, the minister said.

“If you want to be heard, enter the parliament and while sitting on the opposition benches you could raise your voice,” he said.

The interior minister said the businessmen could join any political party or form their own group as they were not short of resources.

About the concern of businessmen on law and order in the country, he said it was not the job of police or rangers alone to fight terrorism. “Every citizen must become courageous to fight terrorism as even America was made a target but they did not say that they were closing their industries or leaving the country.”

“It is the responsibility of the government to act as a facilitator to the businessmen and all efforts have been made to solve their problem.”

He said the National Security Council would only act in critical situations. He urged the businessmen to send their suggestions to the NRB.—APP