KARACHI, Aug 9: Punjab Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Khalid Maqbool has called upon the government and the private sector to join hands to root out poverty, which is hindering progress and development of the country.

Addressing the members of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) at the Federation House on Saturday, he said that the World Trade Organization had offered opportunities and challenges, for which the government and the private sector would have to work together. He said that the services sector would have to provide various services at cheaper rates besides maintaining the quality standards. He said that another field in which the private sector and the government would have to work together was the provision of cheaper houses to general public.

The governor called upon the businessmen and industrialists to become leaders in welfare of people and set up projects for education, health and skill development of the people, says a press release of the FPCCI.

He said that the textile sector offered the biggest opportunities to compete in global economy. However, he added, “we will have to modernize our textile sector with sophisticated machinery and professionally skilled workforce.”

Mr Maqbool said that the jewellery and gemstone industry needed good designers and professional workforce to develop and compete in the world. The agro-based industry particularly dairy farming and off-season fruits and vegetables had tremendous opportunity for export, he added.

Earlier, President FPCCI Riaz Ahmed Tata said that the business community did not require any undue support or subsidies from the government.

“Only what it demands is a playing field against international producers and exporters supported by facilitating policies and operating systems,” he said.

He called upon the governor to use his influence in the federal cabinet to ensure urgent upgradation of human resources and technology for effective check on crimes and promotion of law and order throughout the country, particularly in Karachi.

Meanwhile, Khalid Maqbool met Sindh Chief Minister Sardar Ali Mohammed Mahar at the Chief Minister House here on Saturday, adds APP.

Expressing sympathies over the damages caused by heavy rains and flood in Sindh, the governor assured of full cooperation to the people of Punjab.

Mr Maqbool told the chief minister that the chief minister of Punjab had already given Rs50 million towards Sindh Relief Fund, while he himself had come here to ascertain the requirements of the province.

He inquired from the chief minister about the requirement of flour and other articles for the needy people of Sindh. He pledged that flour and other essential items would be immediately sent to the rain victims of Sindh.

Sindh Chief Minister thanked the governor and the people of Punjab for their gesture.