THIS is apropos President Dr Arif Alvi’s appeal to the nation to buy Pakistani products only. This is heartening and timely. If adhered to in letter and in spirit this seemingly simple short-term measure can give boost to our small and medium industry, create thousands of jobs, enhance foreign exchange reserve, reduce the import bill and even attract foreign investment.

It is understandable that the people have pinned their hopes on the present government for a meaningful change.

Some 450 small industries have shut down in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone over the last 50 years. The plight of our industry in the rest of the country over the last decade being no different; thousands of people have been made jobless.

A critical energy shortfall and our high tariffs have kept our industrialists from matching the quality and cost of imported goods which have now flooded our markets.

In addition, such goods are largely smuggled in owing amounting to trillions of rupees annually. Therefore, the president’s appeal alone will not be sufficient unless some resolute action is taken by the ministries concerned by not allowing the import of those products which are being produced in the country.

This does not mean that we have to increase the customs duties manifold. Instead, we should enforce a complete ban on such items.

It will be pertinent to mention what the US president has achieved vis-à-vis checking imports, boosting local industry and creating jobs.

Global and local anti-Trump propaganda regardless, the Chinese, Canadian and some allied European imports are declining. Similar examples are available from other countries as well.

The people, the ministers concerned, bureaucrats, industrialists, entrepreneurs et al should respond to our president’s thoughtful appeal most positively and effectively.

Dr C.M. Iqbal
Rawalpindi

Published in Dawn, December 19th, 2018