Govt facilitating industries to increase exports: PM

ISLAMABAD: Imran Khan Imran Khan Friday said that one of the first responsibilities of the government is to ensure proper utilisation of public taxes. He said that steps should be taken to bring automation in the system, adding that measures like e-tendering were of fundamental importance to eradicate corruption.

Premier Imran Khan observed this while chairing a meeting on effective use of PSDP, which was told the government has formulated a comprehensive strategy to monitor the pace of development works and the effective and efficient use of funds after a 40 percent increase in the amount allocated for development projects in the current financial year.

The meeting was informed that in order to expedite the pace of development work, the process of disbursement of funds has been simplified and streamlined as well as flexibility has been created to maintain continuity of projects. Ministries are further empowered to release funds as per the requirements of the projects.

Stressing the importance of industrial development to strengthen the country's economy, the prime minister said that the government was providing facilities to industries to increase exports, which would not only reduce the trade deficit, but also increase foreign exchange reserves. He said that reforms are underway to improve the tax system. The prime minister directed the federal ministers to hold regular meetings to keep in touch with the stakeholders and listen to their suggestions and issues. Meanwhile, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmad Al-Malkiy called on Prime Minister Imran Khan and presented a formal invitation to him to take part in the Middle East Green Initiative.

The Saudi ambassador presented a formal invitation to the prime minister, extended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for participation in a summit focusing on the “Middle East Green Initiative” to be hosted by the Kingdom in October 2021. The prime minister graciously accepted the invitation.

It may be recalled that the initiatives of the Saudi crown prince, announced earlier this year, align closely with the prime minister’s climate change initiatives – “Clean and Green Pakistan” and “10 Billion Tree Tsunami”.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are also collaborating closely to develop synergies in their climate-change related strategies. The invitation extended to the prime minister is an acknowledgement of Pakistan’s leading role in combating climate change.

Meanwhile, the Gilgit-Baltistan Council approved the issuance of a policy directive regarding auction of Next Generation Mobile Services Spectrum to provide better communication facilities to the people in GB.

Imran Khan chaired the 12th session of the council. The meeting approved the GB Council (Election) Rules 2021. Six members of the GB Council will be elected under the GB Council (Election) Rules 2021.

The Council approved the appointment of Minhas Hussain, District and Sessions Judge, Ghizer, as Judge, Banking and Customs Court, GB. Minhas Hussain was also approved to be given additional charge of Judge, National Accountability Court, GB.

Meanwhile, all major chambers of commerce of Pakistan expressed full confidence in the government's business-friendly policies and measures taken for Ease of Doing Business and agree to formulate a strategy to increase tax revenue in consultation with the Government and the business community.

In this connection, presidents of the country's major chambers of commerce met Prime Minister Imran Khan. The meeting was part of a series of exchanges of ideas and raising awareness on government policies between the government and the business community initiated by the Ministry of Commerce.

Separately, Special Assistant for Poverty Alleviation and Social Security Dr Sania Nishtar called on Prime Minister Imran Khan. The prime minister directed to improve the quality of shelters and the facilities available to the public in them.

Dr Sania Nishtar briefed the prime minister on the plans to be launched in the next six months under the Ehsaas programme.