13- TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Industrial development and progress is an essential ingredient for the prosperity of the country. MQM is against the nationalisation of industries and favours privatisation for healthy competition. MQM is not anti-capitalist or anti-industrialist but it does not want the accumulation of wealth in a few hands only and thereby opposes monopoly and monopolistic trends in society.

• MQM is of the view that such policies should be formulated whereby small industries are established and small investors are encouraged to participate without undue restrictions.
  

• MQM wants to see cottage industries flourish in the country and wants the Government to encourage the setting-up of such industries in every city, town and village. Such policies should be adopted that a network of cottage industries is established in every corner of the country. This would result in a reduction in unemployment and enhancement of national productivity and income.
  

• MQM wants to see Pakistan enter into the industrial era and transform into a modern industrial society. For this purpose policies should be formulated which would readily establish industries throughout the country without unreasonable legal impediments and bureaucratic interference.
  

• MQM wants to see that by introducing a "one-window operation"; the people should have access to all the safeguards, advantages and protection for the development of industry. The loans for the setting-up of industries should be made easier and simpler to obtain and land should be made available at a reasonable rate. The taxation system should be made simple and easy to understand.
  

• A uniform industrial policy should be drafted for the entire country with a view to establishing industries in the rural areas. Special incentives should be provided such as land at minimum rates and the supply of water and electricity to the industries in those rural areas. Also in rural areas the industrialists and their employees must be provided with safety and the protection of the law.
  

• MQM desires to formulate such policies at government level whereby safeguards should be provided for industries countrywide. By keeping in mind the country's prevailing conditions, international markets and the country's resources, policies based on Realism and Practicalism should be formulated to increase exports and decrease reliance on imports, especially of readymade goods.
  

• In order to develop domestic trade and industry, MQM wants to see effective steps taken to check smuggling, and people who are involved in these heinous activities should be severely punished.

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