March 25, 2008	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 16, 1429

LAHORE, March 24: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has appealed to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to take measures to improve the tarnished image of the country and take it out of economic mire.

LCCI President Muhammad Ali Mian, Senior Vice-President Mian Muzaffar Ali and Vice President Shafqat Saeed Piracha congratulated Mr Gilani on his election as prime minister and said he was a mature politician and had a total understanding of the issues being faced by the public.

They said the shortage of power, worsening law and order situation, price-hike and fast widening trade deficit were some of the issues needed to be addressed by the new government. There was also a need to evolve all business-related policies in consultation with stakeholders unlike the past when the private sector had a little say in policy-making affairs.

They said they hoped that the new prime minister would take all possible measures to make the country peaceful as the law and order situation had not only tarnished its image among foreign investors but discouraged local investment in the country. They also stressed the need for bringing down the cost of doing business in the country due to which Pakistan was fast losing its due place in the international market.