International terminal at Sialkot airport inaugurated

SIALKOT: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Monday said Pakistan’s GDP will rise to six percent during the current fiscal year of 2017/18, calling the business community to make more efforts to boost exports.

“The country should aim for more than $50 billion exports, as $20 to 22 billion is not enough for a dynamic country like Pakistan,” Abbasi said, addressing a gathering at the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Prime Minister was on a daylong visit to the industrial city. He also inaugurated an international terminal at the Sialkot airport, terming it the “first successful greenfield airport” in the world.

The premier regretted the dismal low number of income tax filers in the country. There is an urgent need to boost it on urgent basis, he said.

“The government is working to make tax filing easier, widen its scope, besides simplifying the procedures,” he added.

The minister said Advisor on Finance Miftah Ismail has been tasked to look into the issues raised by the business community of Sialkot.

“The issue of sales tax refund would be expedited on urgent basis,” he added. “The State Bank has also been asked to plug the loopholes.” Abbasi said a country can only progress if there is a political stability and continuity of policies.

“We have put the country on the path of progress and prosperity and it will continue,” he said. “The PML-N (Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz) has taken the country forward on path of progress and prosperity owing to the dynamic vision and policies of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif… the economic situation of the country today is far better than what it was in 2013.”

The Prime Minister reiterated that the country’s GDP is destined to increase to 6 percent. “Had there been no sit-ins and politics of protests and allegations the economic situation of country would have been far better today,” he said.

Abbasi said the PML-N has put good governance in practice and accomplished tasks that were deemed impossible by previous governments. The energy crisis plagued the country in the past. Today both electricity and gas are in abundance in the country.

“If the government continues to pursue the policies of Nawaz Sharif, all ills of the country would end,” he added. “The government completed the power generation projects of 10,000 megawatts and reduction in rates of electricity and gas are also under consideration.”

The premier said efforts are underway to cut the cost of gas and electricity besides improving their availability. He said the Council of Common Interest would discuss the issue and take steps in this regard.

Abbasi said the Rs150 billion worth of the National Highways Authority’s projects would transform the entire communication infrastructure of the country, lower distances, speed up economic growth and boost trade and industry.

The Prime Minister said the government has a long list of development projects that are underway. He said he had been inaugurating a project every week since he assumed his office.

The premier lauded the Sialkot businessmen for meeting international standards and enhancing exports. Businessmen from other cities need to emulate them and learn from their experiences, he said.

Abbasi said Pakistan is lagging behind in knowledge economy and there is a need to make further efforts.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abbasi inaugurated an international terminal at Sialkot Airport. He said the airport is continuously being expanded with favourable outcomes.

The Prime Minister said the opening of international terminal at the airport would prove a significant milestone not only for the city, but for entire country.

A greenfield airport is a new airport constructed at an undeveloped site in contrast to the brownfield project where the already operational infrastructure is modified or upgraded.

Abbasi lauded the funding and patience of the business community of Sialkot that made the project a reality. The businessmen of Faisalabad also showed keen interest in establishment of a similar airport in their locality, to which he assured them full support of the government.

The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the completion of several development projects in Sialkot and adjoining areas.