PM urged not to undermine the medium sector in revival body
The Financial Daily 29th June 2025
KARACHI: The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) whilst appreciating the formation by the prime minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif of a high powered committee to revive industrial growth has pointed out a serious omission of not including the SME sector representative in the committee, says a Press release.
President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver said non inclusion of the SME sector representative in the committee is a very big mistake He said the big industry is shy at present due to various reasons and the most vibrant sector at present is of the medium enterprises.
He added that most of the value addition units in the country belong to the medium sector. Perhaps the PM is unaware of the vast potential of the sector and its roots in Pakistan. The big industrialists have left the country and have transferred their capital but the medium enterprises have never ever dreamed of leaving the country. Dubai is filled with big Pakistani business men who have their offices, houses and money in banks in Dubai but not a single medium entrepreneur is found there. The medium enterprises travel all over the world to export their goods and seek new ideas but their eyes are always on Pakistan to set up new ventures in their own beloved country.
The UNISAME has repeatedly invited the attention of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) to promote, support, help, facilitate and encourage the medium and higher medium enterprises as they are keen to put up factories in Pakistan. Instead of motivating this vibrant sector the government is ignoring them.
The PM has included advocates and accountants in the committee but not a single representative of the medium or higher medium sector Thaver has urged the PM to immediately include a representative of the UNISAME to make the committee complete so that the committee can be guided promptly as time is flying and we are being left behind in the race of technological advancement. The committee with SME representatives will be able to guide regarding the types of industries, their scope, the opportunities and how it can be explored.
The Union Council (UC) members have also suggested that many import substitution industries can be set up with private public partnerships to reduce import dependency.
The UC has also urged the PM to set up a sub-committee under UNISAME and SMEDA for setting up light engineering industries of several goods which are imported but can be made in Pakistan.
UNISAME had proposed earlier to make solar panels, drones for agriculture and commercial purposes with technology from China and collaboration with PCSIR and other leading engineering institutions in Pakistan.
Thaver said the idea of the PM is excellent in forming this committee for revival but it needs a team of people who know their subject.
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