TEHRAN -- Expediency Council Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has criticized state bodies for failing to understand the obstacles preventing the implementation of Article 44 of the Constitution, which calls for the privatization of state companies.

The Majlis, the current administration, and even the Expediency Council have not acted properly in this regard, Rafsanjani told reporters here on Wednesday on the sidelines of a conference organized by basiji university students entitled Article 44, Obstacles and Solutions.
The EC chairman said all three branches of government should take responsibility for the implementation of Article 44, adding, “But we should make sure that the Majlis doesn’t pass laws contrary to Article 44.”
All of Iran’s major accomplishments were the result of the people’s participation, and if it hadn’t been for the people’s efforts, the Islamic Revolution wouldn’t have happened, Rafsanjani stated.
He asked, “Why can’t Iran make use of the people’s participation to build and administer the country, and why should Iran’s capital assets be transferred to Dubai? Why can’t Iran attract billions of Iranian nationals’ capital?”
Article 44 and the 20-Year Outlook Plan will pave the way to do so, he noted.
The 20-Year Outlook Plan defines a macro strategy for the country’s economic, social, and cultural development for the next 20 years.
He also acknowledged the basiji (volunteer) spirit and called on basijis to pursue the matter in an academic manner.
Meanwhile, Expediency Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaii told reporters on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Article 44, Obstacles and Solutions conference, “Article 44 states that the government shouldn’t interfere in the economy, but rather should guide it.”
There is no doubt that Iran has made significant progress in many spheres, but it is falling behind schedule in certain economic, scientific, and technological areas, he said.
The preparation of the Article 44 policies draft was a great step by the administration, which will pave the way for the implementation of Article 44, he noted