KARACHI: Avoiding giving direct answers related to the election manifestos of political parties, business and industry leaders find it enough to stress the need to rise above personal gains. “Every written policy document or manifesto looks good, but it all depends on how much and how sincerely they may be implemented,” they observed when approached for their comments.

What they say in effect is no policy paper or planning can produce the desired result without taking the stakeholders on board; something that the rulers generally try to avoid. Disappointed by the approach, business and industry leaders Dawn spoke to spent more time talking of the country’s potential and the lack of sincerity on the part of the rulers rather than the manifestos. And their comments were rather harsh.

“Who would believe these politicians who keep changing their loyalties by moving from one party to another,” they maintained. All the parties need a one-point manifesto — sincerity — and everything will itself start working smoothly and efficiently, asserted the leaders.

The grumbles of the community of businessmen and industrialists include the lopsided power vested in the bureaucracy, and the need to stabilise macro-economic indicators. But all this cannot be achieved without ensuring rapid industrialisation and exports expansion. “The country comprehensive economic reforms on an urgent basis, but the manifestos of all political party are at best vague on such issues,” said the leaders.

They were equally emphatic about the need to improve the worsening law and order situation as there could be no investment in an atmosphere that is not conducive to doing business. Lastly, policy consistency, they said, was the key to any improvement in the long run.

Business and industry leaders who spoke to Dawn included Zubair Ahmed Malik, they newly-elected President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Haroon Shamsi, Chairman of the Federal B Area Association of Trade and Industry, Mohammad Farooq Khatura, Chairman of the North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry, and Mohammad Zubair Chhaya, Chairman of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry.

However, chairman SITE Association of Trade and Industry Dr Mushtaq Vohra said he could not give his views as he had recently jointed the Muhattad Qaumi Movement (MQM) and would soon be resigning from his post.