PM says federal govt will never leave KP people alone

PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Wednesday said the federal government would never leave alone the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and all necessary resources would be utilised to help the victims of recent torrential rains and floods in the province. The PM distributed compensation cheques during a function held at the Governor’s House, Peshawar. It was his first visit to KP after assuming his office. The PM said KP was the province most affected by rains and floods in terms of human lives, followed by Balochistan and Azad Kashmir. He distributed Rs2 million cheques among the heirs of each deceased, and Rs500,000 to each injured of the recent torrential rains and floods in different districts of the province, including the merged tribal districts.

A total of 40 people, including 27 children died, and 62 were injured during the recent torrential rains and floods in the KP.

The PM directed the authorities concerned and relevant departments to complete estimates of all destroyed and partially damaged houses within five days and complete the process of disbursement of compensation payment by March 11. He directed the NDMA and other relevant departments to use helicopter facility for transportation of officials to ensure speedy compilation of estimates of all destroyed and partially damaged houses in far-flung districts of KP. Shehbaz announced that Rs700,000 would be provided for repair of each destroyed house and Rs300,000 for each partially damaged house.

Earlier, upon arrival, the PM was received by KP Governor Haji Ghulam Ali. Later, the governor called on the prime minister and exchanged views on the overall situation, including economic affairs.

Separately, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir Wednesday called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the PM House and discussed with him the Pakistan Army’s professional as well as security-related matters, a PM Office press release said. The army chief also congratulated PM Shehbaz on assuming the office and expressed good wishes for him.

Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz Sharif Wednesday directed the Ministry of Privatization to present the final schedule for the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in the next two days. He chaired a meeting on the privatization of PIA and restructuring of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) here. “No negligence or delay will be accepted on finalization of privatisation plan of PIA and its implementation,” he said. He also ordered to ensure transparency in the entire process of PIA privatisation. The meeting was apprised of progress made on the PIA privatization so far. The PM also approved a proposed roadmap for the automation of FBR and also ordered for implementation on the plan. He also directed the Ministry of Law to come up with recommendations for disposal of all cases and disputes pending in courts regarding revenue collection and tax receipts.

The meeting was informed that there would be an addition of Rs1.7 trillion in tax-based revenue and receipts if the FBR manages to win these cases. The PM said there was a need to establish a law wing in the FBR and also sought proposals to make drafting as per law and seek lawyers services.

Former finance minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar gave a briefing on restructuring and automation of the FBR and shortcomings in the existing system of revenue collection. She said tax-to-GDP ratio, which was only 9.5 per cent, was the lowest in the world, saying that 55.6 per cent people did not pay any tax, while 200,000 people pay 90 per cent of the total tax, which was collected every year. She said the country’s Rs1.3 trillion were stuck up due to prolonged litigation.