The Center for Law and Security (CLAS) in collaboration with the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) organized a Seminar on Tuesday, 13th June, 2023 on Post Budget Challenges: Macroeconomic Indicators and Way Forward for Pakistan.

Dr. Musadik Masood Malik, Minister of State for Petroleum was the Chief Guest of the event. Mr. Faad Waheed, Senior Vice President ICCI, Mr. Sardar Yasir Ilyas, CEO Centaurus Mall, Mr. Haroon Sharif, former Chairman Board of Investments, and Mr. Shehbaz Rana, Economic Correspondent at The Express Tribune. The Seminar was moderated by Mr. Rehman Azhar, Executive Director, Centre for Law and Security,

Dr. Faisal Mushtaq, in his opening remarks highlighted the work done by the Center and also thanked speakers and the audience for attending the Seminar.

Mr. Musadik Masood Malik began the discussion by explaining the major points of Annual Budget 2023-2024. He also critically elaborated the role of investors and businessmen in Pakistan’s economy. Mr. Fahd Waheed discussed the need of enhancing tax culture in the country and pointed out various difficulties being faced by the business community in the last two years. Mr. Sardar Yasir Ilyas emphasized the role of youth in economic development. He also pointed out that the government must act swiftly to prevent brain drain in the Country. Mr. Haroon Sharif, while criticizing the Annual Budget and economic policies of successive governments, emphasized on the need for shrinking the size of government entities in Pakistan.  Mr. Shehbaz Rana, called attention to the economic policies that would ensure long-term sustainable economic development of Pakistan. He also stressed on the need to break the chains of public debt.

Engr. Azhar ul Islam, Vice President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) delivered his closing remarks and thanked speakers and the audience for attending the Seminar. He also emphasized on the need for having more such events and dialogues where various stakeholders would be able to share their experiences with each other.

A large number of law students and people from academia attended the event. At the end of Seminar, souvenirs were presented to the speakers and Chief Guest by Dr. Faisal Mushtaq TI and Mr. Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI).