Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday, while appreciating the improving economic indicators, said the government had made tough decisions during its first year which were now bearing the fruit.
Chairing a meeting of his economic team here, the prime minister said the international financial institutions, including the World Bank, had also acknowledged the government’s efforts in the economic sector and their outcomes.
The meeting was attended by Economic Affairs Minister Hammad Azhar, Maritime Affairs Minister Ali Zaidi, Planning Minister Khusro Bakhtyar, Advisor on Institutional Reforms Dr Ishrat Hussain, special assistants Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Dr Sania Nishtar, Yousuf Baig Mirza and Nadeem Babar, Board of Investment Chairman Zubair Gilani, State Bank Governor Baqir Raza, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Shabbar Zaidi, Naya Pakistan Housing Authority Chairman Lt Gen (r) Anwar Ali Haoder, former finance minister Shaukat Tareen and federal secretaries, a PM Office press release said.
The meeting was told that during last few months, both the fiscal and budget deficits had been controlled putting the national economy on right track. The FBR had increased the revenue collection by 15 to 16 percent and the government was no more borrowing from the State Bank.
The prime minister was apprised that in order to curtail the government expenditures, the fiscal discipline was being strictly observed and around Rs 50 billion had been saved by releasing no supplementary grant during the first fiscal quarter. The tax collection had increased considerably which would improve further, he was told.
The meeting also reviewed the administrative measures to control the inflation by addressing the demand-supply gap.
The prime minister directed the authorities concerned to review the prices of daily use items on weekly basis and ensure their strict monitoring. He said it was among the government’s priorities to control the prices of essential commodities and all-out efforts would be made to provide relief to the common man.
The meeting decided to examine the pace of development projects to ensure the utilization of the allocated budget. In this regard, the prime minister sought monthly report from all the ministries on their respective development projects, besides calling for establishment of an effective monitoring mechanism. During the meeting, the prime minister directed to finalize the proposals to strengthen the banking courts within fortnight in coordination with the law ministry to ensure their timely implementation.
