Day: June 18, 2024

Federal Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb has reiterated government's commitment to reduce expenditures and boost revenues as part of a comprehensive effort to strengthen the country's economy on sustainable grounds. Addressing a news conference in Kamalia, he, said the federal government would shut down parallel ministries or departments that have been devolved to provinces. The Minister said Prime Minister has already announced the closure of Pakistan Public Works Department. Muhammad Aurangzeb said the government will privatize state-owned enterprises which have been a significant drain on the national exchequer. The Minister said the privatization of SOEs will help reduce the financial burden on the government and improve efficiency. The Minister also announced that airport outsourcing is being completed, with Karachi airport set to be handed over to the private sector by July or August this year, to be followed by Lahore airport. He said the government is committed to reducing losses and burdens on the federal government, and these measures are part of a larger effort to achieve this goal. The minister emphasized that the Prime Minister was personally leading the effort to reduce expenditures and improve efficiency. The minister announced that 32,000 retailers have already been registered and will be taxed starting from July 2024. He emphasized government's commitment to bringing other sectors into the tax net. He said the government is also focusing on compliance, plugging leakages in the system, and implementing an end-to-end digitization system to reduce human intervention, increase transparency, and end corruption. Muhammad Aurangzeb reiterated government's commitment to develop the agricultural sector, saying 41 billion rupees have been earmarked in the federal Public Sector Development Program to promote this sector. He said government also intends to solarize tube wells, provide loans to small farmers, and develop warehouses to facilitate small farmers. He said, subsidies on fertil izer, seeds and agriculture would continue. In the IT sector, the Minister said, the government aims to facilitate freelancers and increase exports from 3.5 billion dollars to 7 billion dollars. He said the government's plans aim to strengthen the country's economy by developing key sectors like agriculture and IT. Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan and the European Union have identified potential areas of mutual cooperation. This was discussed during a meeting between Ambassador of Pakistan to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg Amna Baloch and the Chief Executive Officer of Belgian development agency 'Enabel' in Brussels today. They also discussed the Enabel's priority areas and engagement landscape. Source: Radio Pakistan

President Asif Ali Zardari visited his ancestral graveyard at Baloo Ja Quba in Nawabshah. He visited the graves of his parents, showered flowers and offered Fateha. The President offered Fateha at the graves of his mother Begum Bilqis Sultana and late father Hakim Ali Zardari. The President also placed flowers on the graves of other loved ones and relatives in Baloo Ja Quba Cemetery and prayed for the recompense of the deceased. Sister of the President, Faryal Talpur, also accompanied him. Source: Radio Pakistan

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar made a surprise visit to Jagran-1 Hydropower Plant in Neelum district, Azad Jammu Kashmir today. The Deputy Prime Minister expressed satisfaction at the smooth functioning of the 30.4 MW Jagran-I hydropower plant. The Deputy Prime Minister conveyed his best wishes for the engineers, technicians and workers employed in Jagran-1 and the full support of the Government of Pakistan for the project, which is contributing to Pakistan's energy security. The Jagran-I Hydropower Project was first initiated in 1995 and progress gained momentum under the leadership of then-Prime Minister Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif. The Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, serving as then Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council, fast-tracked the approval of the revised project and ensured its timely completion. The Jagran-I Hydropower Project was inaugurated in October 2000 and began generating 132 Million Units of energy annually. This power plant is directly connected to the national grid via a 132 KV transmission line, significantly contributing to the country's energy supply. Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says the progress and development of Gilgit Baltistan and the welfare of its people are among top priorities of the government. He was talking to the Governor Gilgit Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah over telephone today. The Prime Minister also conveyed Eid greetings to the governor. Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed best wishes on Eid ul Azha to political leaders including Ameer Jamaat e Islami Hafiz Naeem Ur Rehman, President National Party Abdul Malik Baloch and Central President of Awami National Party Aimal Wali Khan over telephone today. These leaders also reciprocated the Eid wishes. Source: Radio Pakistan