Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit - FREEdom in Markets [Druckversion]
FREEdom in Markets
Pakistani liberals call for free markets and free minds
Dr. Khalil Ahmad introducing the report
Wilhelm Ropke in 1958 said, "…The much vaunted elasticity of the free market is really the elasticity of the individual". This was precisely the reason why Pakistan’s first economic freedom think tank, the Alternate Solutions Institute (ASI) in collaboration with the Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung (FNSt) has been printing the Economic Freedom of the World Report – Special Pakistan edition for the last two years.
Mr. Richter & Dr. Klaff
In March 2006, ASI and FNSt launched the 2005 edition of the Report in the presence of Mr. Manfred Richter, Member of FNSt Board of Directors and Dr. René Klaff, Regional Director of FNSt in addition to a large number of businessmen, economists and the media.
This special Pakistan Edition was printed in order to highlight Pakistan’s place in the 2005 report and to map out in detail in the accompanying introduction the degree of economic freedom prevalent in Pakistan and to study the trends and patterns. The launching of this report printed in the earlier part of the year was done with the specific objective of not only introducing the report amongst economic circles in Pakistan but also to raise awareness of the need for greater economic freedom in the country.
The launching of the report was witnessed by the media as well as leading economic entrepreneurs and citizens. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Khalil Ahmad, Director Alternate Solutions Institute declared that “if we don’t create a free market, a black market would emerge”. The Resident Representative of FNSt in Pakistan urged for greater economic freedom and a withdrawal of the protectionist mindset prevalent in the country that crushes entrepreneurship. Mr. Zubair Ahmed Malik, Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Mr. Barun Mitra, Director Liberty Institute (LI), India and Mr. Mohsin Khaled of the Center for Business and Enterprise (CBE) had also contributed to the report and urged for greater economic freedom.
The report has been well received by media thereby starting a debate on the relation between economic and political freedom in Pakistan.
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