It’s interesting to note that they don’t appear to be too concerned about the delay in the publication of political parties’ election manifestos, which are frequently replete with promises that, once in power, are rarely kept.
Apart from the fact that there are many well-known businessmen who are aware of the difficulties facing Pakistan, such as the government’s limited room for maneuver, the lack of resources, the country’s reliance on foreign aid, and political pressures in a world that is becoming more unstable, there is a general expectation that election manifestos will contain similar promises, albeit with slightly different wording.
A weak coalition government following the elections is something that many anticipate will happen, but it is not what the nation needs.
For Pakistan to regain trust and provide hope above all else, the country needs strong, decisive political leadership that is not willing to back down. Sincere efforts can lead to solutions, no matter how complicated the issues. A tycoon, who wished to remain anonymous, emphasized, “We should not underestimate the power of the government machinery, which is perfectly capable of steering things in the right direction if it so desires.”
Reluctant businesspeople have come from second-tier cities and smaller provinces. They believe that the country’s major challenges are beyond the capabilities of the current political leadership to address and overcome. A trader said, “It looks like they are trying to win a race of adaptability, trying to give new life to an antiquated system that has already outlived its age.”
In light of their evaluation of Pakistan’s current power structure, the business community has softened its position on regional trade. Interestingly, they have left out of their agenda the whole discussion of bilateral trade with India.
