President Zardari directs to set up Saraiki Bank

Pakistan

President Zardari directs to set up Saraiki Bank

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President Asif Ali Zardari has directed to set up a Saraiki Bank in South Punjab.

15 April,2012 05:19 pm

President Asif Ali Zardari has directed the federal government to take steps for setting up of a Saraiki Bank in South Punjab and asked businessmen and entrepreneurs from the region to submit a formal proposal for it within a week.During meeting with businessmen of South Punjab in Multan on Sunday, the President said the Saraiki Bank will address the financial issues of South Punjab businessmen.He said that the banks in the past have been manipulated for political ends and the government aimed at ensuring a banking financial system that could not be manipulated against political opponents.The President reiterated his call to the business community to assist the government in rationalizing and broadening the tax net so as to provide relief to the small businessmen and traders and‚ simultaneously‚ to strengthen the economy.He said that South Punjab has a great potential for the export of fruits and the government was making all efforts to facilitate the growers and exporter of fruits especially of mangoes. He said the Government has also planned to establish Mango Pack House and Cold Storage common facility centers at Multan.The participants apprised the President about various issues faced by the business community and also put forth their suggestions.Earlier‚ a delegation of Ulemas and Mashaikhs from South Punjab also called on the President.The President urged the Ulemas to work for religious harmony and to assist the government in weaning the youth away from falling into the trap of militants. He called upon them to highlight the real message of our religion that is peace‚ harmony and tolerance.President Zardari said that the Prime Minister has been asked to start consultative process with all the political parties for making a separate Saraiki province in South Punjab.