Islamabad: Extremism is a menace that has affected Pakistani society more than any country globally. Suicide and IED attacks on the general public including military installations, educational institutions, business centers, recreational places and hospitals have shaken up the economic and social structure of the Country. Various statistical numbers not only illustrate the severity of these impacts collectively on the community but also at an individual level. During FY 2014-15, Pakistan government formulated a joint inter-ministerial group that worked out the estimated cost of cumulative impacts on economic development for last 15 years since 9/11. Economic Survey of Pakistan 2014-15 reported that economy has incurred US$106.98 Billion (Rs. 8.7Tr) in direct and indirect costs owing to violent extremism.
All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF) is a national body of business community that promotes continued and sustained efforts for pro-poor growth resulting in better quality of life for its citizens. Since APBF is closely netted with majority of the stakeholders at national and provincial levels, APBF has been collecting evidence on violent extremism and its devastated impacts on the community and individuals.
In order to discuss this important issue faced by Pakistani society in general and business community in specific APBF organized a one day conference titled “Impact of Violent Extremism on Pakistan’s economy & Potential Private Sector solutions” on 8th September 2016 at PC Hotels, Lahore. Governor of Punjab Malik Rafique Ahmad Rajwana was the Chief Guest of this conference. The conference was attended by all stakeholders like representatives of National and Regional Chambers of Commerce, Anjuman-e-Tajran, Local Market Associations, representatives of Law enforcement agencies, Media, Political Parties, Academia. Through this conference APBF aims to find answers to following questions:-
