ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said on Thursday that challenges the government inherited in 2013 were enormous but with the policies of the government now all economic indicators in Pakistan are improving with each passing day. He further said that the present government has set the priorities such as Energy, Education, Economy and eliminating Extremism.
While talking to a World Bank delegation led by Ms. Annette Dixon, Vice President which called on him at the PM House, the PM said that Pakistan’s macro economic situation is improving, inflation is at the lowest level in past 13 years, and foreign exchange reserves are considerably up while fiscal deficit is down. He thanked the World Bank for continued support for Pakistan.
The PM said that government has taken decisive steps against terrorism and extremism. “Pakistan has suffered enormously at the hands of terrorism both in terms of financial losses as well as loss of human lives. We have broken the back of terrorists by destroying their sanctuaries and hideouts”, he added.
Talking to her about Temporarily Displaced Persons (TDPs), he said that the Government of Pakistan is committed to help restore lives and livelihoods of TDPs affected by Operation Zarb-e-Azb. He appreciated World Bank’s financial support for the TDPs.
Ms. Dixon congratulated him on economic progress made by the country since 2013 and said there is huge potential in Pakistan’s economy especially in agriculture and dairy sectors. She said World Bank has scaled up its support for Pakistan due to better economic conditions in the country. She also appreciated the steps taken by the government in improving relations with Afghanistan and said this would contribute towards lasting peace in the region.
She also informed the PM about her visit to Lahore and meeting with Chief Minister Punjab and visit to Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) office on Wednesday. Apprising the Prime
Minister of her meeting with members of the business community in Lahore, she said they were appreciative of the fact that economic situation in Pakistan has stabilised and appeared keen to have increased opportunities in all fields.
The delegation also extended their condolences on the tragic incident that took place in Army Public School, Peshawar. Other members of the delegation included Rachid Benmessaoud, Country Director and Hassan Zaman, Senior Regional Advisor.
Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar, Secretary Finance Waqar Masood Khan, Secretary Economic Affairs Division Muhammad Saleem Sethi and Executive Director World Bank Nasir Khosa were also present during the meeting.
Later, Chief Minister Balochistan Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch also called on Prime Minster Muhammad Nawaz Sharif at the PM House in the morning. Matters relating to Balochistan, especially those relating to development and overall political situation came under discussion.