KARACHI: Pasban leader Altaf Shakoor has urged the government to take firms steps to increase exports to get appreciated the value of Pakistani rupee on priority basis. Talking to the media, he said that the Pakistani rupee would further depreciate in the wake of the currency swap agreement with China. “It would not augur well for the economy as it would increase burden of foreign debt,” he said. “It is necessary to take precautionary measures from now so that the Pakistani rupee is not depreciated in the international market.” He said the key to resolve this issue is increasing export of Pakistani goods for which the government should provide generous incentives to the industrial sector. “Besides, we should be self-sufficient in meeting local demand, so that less and less goods and commodities could be imported.” He said it is fact that Pakistan lacks behind in producing quality goods at cheaper cost; this is why the country may not compete with the cheaper Chinese goods. He said ultimately this situation would appreciate the value of Chinese currency, as compared to the Pakistani rupee. He asked for making a better climate to attract investment so as to generate more employment opportunities and increase the DGP as it would cast a multiplier effect on the economy. Published in Daily Times, January 9th 2017.