Dubai: Expat Pakistani businessmen in the UAE believe economic matters will be the key factors in Wednesday’s election — and they favour Imran Khan’s policies.
Gulf News asked several Pakistani businessman for what they felt were the most important issues in the election, which policy proposals they liked, and who they felt would win the vote.
Expats cannot vote from overseas in the election, since Pakistan’s Supreme Court ruled last month that rolling out e-voting booths hastily would be harmful.
However, some Pakistanis have travelled back to the country in order to vote.
Iftikhar Ahmad Tahir, founder and chairman of Royal International Group in Dubai, said this year’s elections are “very challenging,” but he expects Imran Khan to win the presidential bid. Tahir said he expected the new Khan-led government to invest in infrastructure, which would help Pakistan’s economy grow.
“His agenda is very good for the country, and we expect it will be good for the business community as well. We expect very [strong] growth in Pakistan in the next few years,” he said.
A key priority for the new government should be debt payment, Tahir believes.
“They have to look into [foreign direct] investment and the benefits they give to overseas Pakistanis, and they have to fulfil their commitment with the World Bank and the IMF. [The government] is borrowing money and not paying on time, and that’s an issue they have to resolve. We have huge debt presently.”
Raza Jafar, founder of Global Sustainability Network, said support was growing for Imran Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, but felt he might need to enter a coalition to form a government.
“The popularity for Imran Khan is at its highest ever as people are appreciating the fact that he is fighting for a cause for two decades,” he said. “People are satisfied with him. Other parties are also strong, so they will also give them a good fight. Imran will get reasonable amount of support but may need help from other parties.”
Jafar felt political parties should focus on the economy and business matters.
“The overall control on finances should be a focus. Attention is needed to repay loans and service debt. Investors’ concern on repatriation of funds should be a focus. The government has a lot (to do) to invite expat Pakistani to invest in the country.”
When asked who would emerge victorious from the Pakistani leadership elections on Wednesday, Syed Qaiser Anis replied: “That’s the million dollar question.”
In a country of 220 million people, and many political parties, Anis said he believes the election will ultimately be won by a group that can serve the majority of these people.
“In the circumstances I expect coalition government from all the parties,” he said. “No one will have a majority.”
While predicting that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) would win seats from its heartland Sindh region, and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) parties would also likely win seats in Karachi, Anis noted that “a lot of independent candidates will also win in the election.”
On the implication of an Imran Khan victory, Anis said that while not a supporter of Khan, his anti-corruption stance could benefit the country.
“If Khan takes control, at least the looting will not happen. But Khan does not work on coalition, he works on his own leadership.”
