Panel reconstituted to advise govt on economic policy.

ISLAMABAD -- The government has reconstituted a 31-member advisory committee of the Planning Commission comprising representatives of the private sector and academia to guide the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives in policy formulation to cope with the dire economic challenges.

Led by Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, members of the committee consist of government officials, parliamentarians, economic experts, businessmen and educationists from home and abroad.

A similar 28-member advisory committee was also formed in October 2013. Its contribution to policy formulation and implementation of those policy advices was never made public.

An official statement said the committee would work as a strategic think tank on policy issues to promote public and private interface and develop a participatory approach in the decision-making. 'It will help to generate and build consensus on policies and strategies of the Planning Commission,' the statement said.

Representatives of private sector and academics part of new committee

The body would also be required to provide input and get feedback from non-government stakeholders to improve the policies and performance of the planning ministry.

Secretary of Planning Syed Zafar Ali Shah, Chairman of Senate Standing Committee on Planning Commission Saleem Mandviwalla and Chairman of Standing Committee of National Assembly on Planning Khalid Magsi will be part of the group.

Other members of the committee included President of Qaiser LG Petrochemical Qaiser Sheikh, President of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, President of Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) Ghias Khan, Arif Habib of Arif Habib Corporation, ex-chairman of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Almas Hyder, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ferozon Labs Khalid Osman Waheed, CEO of Sayyed Engineers Ltd Savail Hussain, and Chairman...