Businessmen seek proper SME representation in Parliament

KARACHI: The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (Unisame) expressed disappointment at insufficient sector representation in the parliament and sought proper representation of the sector in the assemblies, a statement said.

Unisame President Zulfikar Thaver said that unfortunately the country indulges in hero worshipping of its political leaders, while there is also dynasty politics.

“Our political students need to learn how to weigh and measure political leaders and personalities on merit and study the candidates’ expertise, education, performance record and character,” he added.

He said that the sector is represented in the parliament by the persons who are mostly feudal lords and big industrialists.

“We need representatives of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) farmers, micro to medium sized entrepreneurs whereas we are ill represented by kleptocrats who are not willing to do legislation which favours the common man,” he lamented.

The Unisame Council said that the House has many sugar manufacturers and for this reason the export of gurr is not being allowed although the ministries have agreed that the ban on the export of gurr is unwise, illogical and unconstitutional.

The Lahore High Court in its order has stated that no provincial or federal government will cause any obstruction or impediment in the manufacturing of gurr.

Likewise the export of khashkhash is not allowed although it is declared as a food and Pakistan Standard Quality Control Authority has adopted standards for both gurr and khashkhash, it added.

The majority sector deserves the best attention and the only way they can get it is by true representatives sitting in the National, Provincial Assemblies and the Senate.