To provide ‘maximum relief’ to people: Targets assigned to all ministries

LAHORE: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar Sunday said all the ministries had been assigned targets to overcome the challenges facing the country.

Addressing a press conference at the PMLN Secretariat here, he said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had on Saturday given short, medium and long-term targets to all the ministries in order to improve people’s life.

“The cabinet consists of experienced people, youths, seasoned politicians and technocrats,” he added.

He said the prime minister had decided to evaluate the performance of each ministry and key performance indicators had also been set for them.

“By using the latest technology, achievement of targets given to the ministries will be monitored. Written instructions have been issued to all the ministries in which they have been informed about the targets which they have to meet,” he added.

Tarar said targets had been given on the basis of realistic approach like the finance ministry had been given the target to reduce inflation and unemployment, increase GDP growth, restructuring of loans and digitalization of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

He said the ministers who would show good performance would be appreciated, adding that a self-accountability system had also been evolved and key performance indicators of ministries would be evaluated using the modern IT interventions.

“Reducing trade deficit, promoting vocational training, increasing forex, boosting exports in the IT sector, activating facilities like PayPal, activating Wi-Fi hotspots and introducing the latest digital system across the country are some clear and key targets,” he added.

Briefing about the targets of the interior ministry, Tarar said the ministry had been asked to launch a crackdown on illegal weapons, devise a new system to stop terrorism, take action against illegal foreign residents in the country and stop smuggling.

“Meetings were held related to the security of Chinese nationals and how to take preemptive action to curb terrorism on the basis of intelligence information,” he said, adding that coordination between the Centre and provinces would also be checked in this regard on the same pattern on which the National Action Plan implementation had been supervised.

Regarding the targets of the law ministry, the information minister said steps had been taken for making laws for protection of minorities and an e-portal would be made for laws passed in the country.

He said till September 2024, a report related to human rights would be prepared and targets related to implementation of laws would also be checked. About the targets of the Ministry of Industries, Attaullah Tarar said a target had been given related to the Industrial Development Regulatory Authority and promotion of ship-breaking industry.

He said in Pakistan, the minerals sector had a lot of potential, adding that a target related to the exploration of minerals and their export had also been given. He said a target had been given with regard to the ease of doing business besides a target to devise trade and bilateral trade agreements with the friendly countries.

Tarar said the trade ministry had been asked to bring the National Trade Policy in the cabinet by April 30 and get it approved.

The information minister said the education ministry had been asked to ensure enrollment of out-of-school children, to increase PhD scholarships by 20 percent, and devise a strategy related to ‘National Hunarmandi’ by September 1.

About the targets of the Ministry of Privatisation, he said PIA privatisation should be completed at the earliest. He said talks with commercial banks related to the outstanding dues had reached a logical conclusion. Tarar said the privatization of PIA would yield positive results, adding that efforts were being made to overcome loopholes in the tax system.

He said for the first time, businessmen playing a significant role in strengthening the country’s economy and big taxpayers had been rewarded.

The austerity committee would submit a report on how to reduce government expenses to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the coming few days and in its light, the premier would announce the austerity policy, he maintained. He said things would improve gradually and the government vision was clear to provide maximum relief to the people.

To a question, he said the government would try to open offices of all social media platforms in Pakistan as this would be very helpful in creating jobs.

To another query, he said it was very essential to document the black economy. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf during its tenure just focused on taking political revenge, adding had it copied the steps taken by the PMLN, the country would have been in a much better condition.

He said the whole nation had seen how the PTI ruined the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). To another question, he said the tax net would be increased and people would get good news in the coming days. He said, “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has full potential and he knew how to execute plans and get the desired results.”

Responding to another query, he said the PMLN government believed in taking practical measures, as the party had constructed 12 motorways, produced 12,000 MW electricity, started laptop and Ashiana Housing schemes and saved the country from default.

He further said that it was very essential to produce good films at the local level and a policy was being evolved for promotion of art films. Tarar said the government would support good filmmakers and sponsor the film festival in Karachi.