LAHORE: Business people expressed solidarity with the Pakistan Army and condemned the incidents of May 9 and attacks on army personnel and state installations.

Prominent businessmen from Lahore, Karachi, Multan, Faisalabad and other industrial hubs gathered for a meeting in Lahore on Tuesday to discuss the current situation in the aftermath of these tragic events.

During the meeting, they emphasised the need for a national consensus among stakeholders to address the prevailing political instability.

They recognised that restoring public confidence, revitalising economic activity and strengthening the democratic process were crucial priorities.They told reporters they supported all efforts aimed at achieving this much-needed consensus.

They condemned the incidents as highly detrimental to national cohesion. The community intends to engage with political leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, former president Asif Zardari and PTI Chairman Imran Khan, urging them to set aside their differences in the larger national interest.

They also expressed confidence that, with the full support of the people, the Pakistan army would defeat any nefarious designs against the country.

Acknowledging the current political crisis and its impact on the economy, they discussed the volatile situation that had pushed the economy to the brink of collapse, resulting in potential widespread unemployment and hardships for the common man, as well as hampering Pakistan’s exports.

Mian Aamir highlighted the risk of anarchy and permanent damage to the country, while Mian Idris offered to facilitate a dialogue among political parties and stakeholders to find a satisfactory resolution.

Mian Ahsan stressed the need for flexibility among all stakeholders, particularly political parties, to overcome the ongoing challenges.

Almas Haider emphasised the community’s desire to strengthen institutions, and Khurram Mukhtar expressed confidence in Pakistan’s resilience, emphasising the importance of unity and collaboration.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2023