Body to resolve traders' problems formed

ISLAMABAD - President Asif Ali Zardari appointed a committee comprising Parliamentarians to look into the problems of small traders and businessmen of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad and come up with a comprehensive report in this regard at the earliest.
The committee comprised Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Minister for Industries Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo, Senator Nayyar Hussain Bokhari, Federal Parliamentary Minister Senator Babar Awan and Senator Faisal Raza Abidi.
The President also advised the committee to make proposals for providing cheap financing to the small traders and also suggest structures so that the facility is not misused in the name of financial assistance to small traders.
The committee should also examine the demand of the trading community for building a colony for them and legislation to regulate rent, the President said.
The President made these announcements during a meeting with a delegation comprising small traders of twin cities, which called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Presidency on Tuesday.
President Asif Ali Zardari, during the meeting, appreciated the contributions made by small businessmen towards strengthening of national economy and said that small businessmen are invaluable asset of the country and the Government will facilitate them in all possible ways. The President said that the Government will also look into the demand of the traders and small business community for setting up a separate chamber for them.
He said that Government was taking all possible measures to improve security situation in the country and to restore the confidence of the businessmen so that economic activity in the country should not hamper.
He emphasized that the Government was focusing on policies directed towards putting economy on the path of sustainable growth. Protection of the poor and most vulnerable segments of the society is hallmark of our policies, he continued.
President urged the business community to play their role in stepping up the economic activity.