Not govt’s job to do business: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Monday said the government was not meant to do businesses rather its responsibility was to provide all kinds of facilities to the private sector and protect the rights of the consumers, especially the vulnerable segments of the society.

Addressing the maiden meeting of the federal cabinet here, he underscored the need for enhancing the tax net without burdening the honest tax payers and plugging the loopholes which led to tax-evasion of billions of rupees.

He said the contradiction in the tax system could be gauged from the fact that the retailers were being taxed sparing the wholesalers, adding he was forced to say ‘do or die, now or never’.

He said controlling inflation was the topmost priority of his government to cushion the people against inflation.

He said the government had announced Rs12 billion relief package and he would not tolerate unavailability of essential items and fluctuations in their prices.

He said it was also a responsibility of the federal government to extend all possible support to the provinces in providing relief to the masses.

Shehbaz said there was a need to come out of distribution of ministries and confrontation and prepare for fight against corruption, inflation and economic challenges being faced by the country.

The prime minister said the split mandate given to the allied parties would have to be respected adding that they had got the mandate to serve the nation and the country.

Addressing the cabinet members and senior bureaucrats, he said they would have to overcome the challenges with absolute conviction and sincere heart.

“This can be achieved only if we have the resolve to work hard and render sacrifices,” he said.

Shehbaz asked his team members whether they would be able to break the begging bowl.

“We cannot achieve our objectives through “Jadoo, Totkay” (magic and spell) but will have to work hard,” he said.

The prime minister directed the constitution of a price control committee and action against the hoarders.

The federal cabinet also decided to ban the export of banana and onion till April 15 to ensure their availability during the holy month of Ramazan.

The meeting also approved application of Dutch citizen Muhammad Aurangzeb to regain Pakistan’s citizenship on the recommendation of the interior ministry.

The meeting also approved the appointment of Major General Abdul Moeed as Director General of the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF).

Shehbaz said the elite occupied around 90 percent of total resources of the country and if they did not play their role in the present circumstances, then where would be the concept of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Talking about the policy of carrot and stick, he said those who were efficient and honest would be appreciated while the black sheep would be held accountable.

“You will see the difference between honest officers and black sheep,” he said.

Shehbaz said there would be a deep surgery of the whole system, as only antibiotics use would not serve the purpose.

“What we want to achieve is difficult but not impossible,” he said.

He said what was the fault of the poor masses if the power distribution companies faced Rs400 billion to Rs500 billion worth of line losses mainly due to the electricity theft.

He said giving subsidies to the elite class was a big injustice to the country.

“The sooner we do away with such subsidies, the better it would be for the country,” Shehbaz added.

He said the power plants in the government domain were being run on diesel and were producing electricity at the rate of Rs60 per unit.

“There is electricity in surplus but the diesel mafia wants that such plants, which are like white elephants, should continue to operate,” he said.

He also pointed out that the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) were facing losses of billions of rupees but their executive were drawing hefty salaries.

Shehbaz said he chaired various meetings with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officials and came to know that only one-third of tax was collected, while there were 75 percent tax leakages.

“These are the challenges which we are facing,” he said.

Earlier in the day, the prime minister picked his 19-member cabinet naming Senator Ishaq Dar as Foreign Minister and Khawaja Muhammad Asif as Minister for Defence.

Khawaja Muhammad Asif would also hold the additional portfolios of Defence Production and Aviation.

Ahsan Iqbal would retain the portfolio of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives.

Muhammad Aurengzeb, who most recently quit a lucrative post of one of country’s leading banks, was made Minister for Finance with additional portfolio of Revenue Division.

Ex-caretaker chief minister of Punjab who is also being tipped to be elected as a member of the upper house of Parliament, has been appointed the Interior Minister.

Attaullah Tarar would be Minister for Information and Broadcasting with the additional portfolio of spokesman for Shehbaz-led government.

The other federal ministers with the portfolios are Azam Nazir Tarar (Law and Justice and Human Rights), Rana Tanvir Hussain (Industries and Production), Chaudhry Salik Hussain (Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development), Abdul Aleem Khan (Privatization and Board of Investment), Jam Kamal Khan (Commerce), Eng Amir Muqam (States and Frontier Regions with additional charge of National Heritage and Culture), Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari (Railways), Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui (Science and Technology with additional charge of Federal Education and Professional Training), Qaisar Ahmed Shaikh (Maritime Affairs), Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada (Housing and Works), Musadik Masood Malik (Petroleum with additional portfolio of Power), and Ahad Khan Cheema (Economic Affairs with additional portfolio of Establishment.

President Asif Ali Zardari administered the oath to members of the federal cabinet which comprises 18 federal ministers and a minister of state.

The Cabinet Division also notified the appointment of 18 federal minister and a state minister by the president on the prime minister’s advice.