20000204

Govt urged to review downsizing policy

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: The Jamaat-e-Islami has urged the government to review the downsizing in different government institutions during last five years and give due consideration to the cases where people were retired before 45 years.

The JI urged the government to constitute special commissions in all the provinces comprising former judges of the high courts to review these decisions.

In a recent Majlis-e-Shoora, the JI leadership through a unanimous resolution alleged that the increasing unemployment was a result of the policy of downsizing and privatisation.

The party alleged that the government-owned institutions and industries were being privatised at throw-away prices in a bid to attract foreign investment. It said privatisation has made no effective contribution towards debt retirement.

The JI also criticised imposition of General Sales Tax (GST) and said that in addition to various other taxes, it had strongly affected private business and industries.

The party demanded of the government to constitute a commission, comprising industrialists and traders for proposals for the revival of sick and closed industries.

It urged the government to immediately announce withdrawal of GST.

The JI also asked the government not to privatise sensitive institutions like PIA, Pak Telecom, Railway and Wapda. It appealed to the government to stop downsizing in government institutions until opportunities of alternative employment.