Dr. Noor Fatima (Economist): It has already been discussed that a one window operation is essential for facilitating the foreign investors. We also need harmony and consistency in policies to encourage more and more foreign companies to invest in various sectors of Pakistan. For that purpose, we also need to devise encouraging laws. The setting up of Special Investment Facilitation Council is a landmark development to invite foreign investors in mining, agriculture, IT and other lucrative areas. Cumbersome and bureaucratic procedures stop the inflow of foreign investment. For reaping the quick benefits, we need foreign investment in the power sector. We also need investment in energy and mining sectors. For this purpose we need to emulate the models of neighbors like Sri Lanka, Nepal and Afghanistan to attract foreign investors.

Humayun Iqbal Shami (Economist): Due to heavy taxation on many essential products in Pakistan, people look for alternatives in the form of smuggled goods. Secondly, due to foreign exchange crunch, smuggling thrives as imports become more expensive. For example, oil is being smuggled from Iran without any effective check due to high prices of petroleum products in the country. The moral values of many businessmen have gone down and they do not care for smuggling. Similarly, essential raw products like sugar and wheat are smuggled out of the country, creating pressure on the economy. It is need of the hour to take strong administrative measures to check the smuggling.