ISLAMABAD:
President Dr Arif Alvi expressed his regret on Monday regarding the expulsion of “competent people” from politics, emphasising the necessity to uphold respect for public mandate and ensure political inclusion.
Addressing the third edition of Hosting Business Net 2024, a platform aimed at promoting financial inclusion and digital transformation whilst acknowledging the contributions of companies within this sector, the president highlighted the integral link between financial inclusion and political participation.
“Financial inclusion is unattainable without the political engagement of the populace, Alvi remarked. He commended the confidence exhibited by millions of young voters in the democratic process.
Emphasising the importance of respecting mandates, the president attributed the closure of social media websites in Pakistan to a deficiency in intellectual capacity to handle criticism. “It is regrettable that competent people are being ousted from the political arena,” he lamented.
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The president called for enhancing the inclusion of deprived sections of society, especially women and persons with disabilities, in the mainstream of the economy through the digital transformation of the financial sector for socio-economic development.
The ceremony was attended by members of the business and diplomatic community. The president said that Pakistani people were a vibrant nation that had been blessed with abundant natural resources, adding that the country needed to invest in their intellectual development and capacity building.
He also highlighted that Pakistan could not progress without the inclusion of 26.2 million out-of-school children in the education system. “Educating such a large portion of the population would require thousands of new schools and additional resources,” he observed, adding, “If left unaddressed, Pakistan would export raw labour without any value-addition.”
The president cited the example of China which had lifted millions of its people out of poverty by investing in their education and health. He said that financial inclusion was not possible without the political inclusion of the people.
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He opined that technology should be utilised for internet voting (i-voting) and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The president also hailed millions of young voters who had expressed their confidence in the democratic system.
Dr Alvi highlighted the need for setting priorities for the country, making good decisions and efficiently utilising its human resources for the progress of the country.
He said that the low tax-to-GDP ratio was a perennial problem in Pakistan, adding that overcoming this issue would help reduce Pakistan’s reliance on foreign loans.
The president said that banks were offering business loans for women on easy terms and conditions, however, there was a lack of awareness about micro-credit facilities for women.
He urged the banks to enhance their outreach by introducing cashless banking in far-flung areas through customised products and services.