PTI govt put Pakistan on development path: Shibli

Information minister Shibli Faraz says ‘good days have begun’

ISLAMABAD:

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz has said that the incumbent government has overcome various challenges during the last two years, putting the country on the path of development.

“Good days have begun as we are turning the corner,” the information minister said while addressing a news conference along with other cabinet members on the two-year performance of the government on Thursday.

The minister said that the country's economy has become strong, which is evident from the Covid-19 crisis. He, however, said the government “is still facing various challenges, including price-hike, hoarding and smuggling”, which will also be addressed.

“Prime Minister Imran Khan's topmost priority is to reduce prices of the essential commodities.”

Shibli said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government will implement its complete manifesto during its five-year term, adding that the politics of vested interests and corruption is going to end, and it is going to be replaced by the politics of public service.

Adviser to the PM on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood said, “The government has taken all necessary steps for promotion of exports which has helped reduce current account deficit to $3 billion from $20 billion.”

He said that country received record remittances in the month of July this year which “is good news for the economy”.

Dawood said that government formulated a comprehensive export promotion strategy and expressed the confidence that the positive trend witnessed in July would continue in the months ahead.

“The government has announced incentives for five major industries,” he said. “Ease of doing business, Made in Pakistan, tariff reforms and other policies of the government are strengthening the economy of the country.”

Prime Minister's Adviser on Institutional Reforms Dr Ishrat Hussain said, “Seventy-three thousand redundant posts, lying vacant for more than one year, have been abolished.”

He made it clear that the government was not going to deprive anyone of jobs and “we only abolished the redundant posts to reduce the size of the federal government as an austerity measure”.

He said 440 various federal departments and institutions have been reduced to 324, adding that these departments had lost their importance and their reduction would result in saving government expenditure.

The adviser said that automation “is our top priority to check corruption, bad governance, and discretionary powers” of the government functionaries.

“Information Technology has a cardinal role in introducing automation in government departments to improve their performance.”

He said that the business process would be made easy by introducing e-filing.

Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul said that the present government has taken unprecedented steps over the last two years for the protection of environment. “These measures are also being recognised worldwide.”

She said that the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami Project is actively being pursued and it will help provide one million jobs to the youth.

Addressing the news conference, Special Assistant on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam said that the PTI government had set a five-point agenda to address the climate change challenges.

He said the five point agenda included 10 Billion Tree Tsunami, Clean and Green Pakistan, Plastic Bags, Electrical Vehicles and Protected Areas.

The special assistant said that the Electric Vehicle Policy has been approved, adding that charging stations were being installed. He hoped that the manufacturing of various electric vehicles would start soon in the country.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said record legislation was made in the parliament by ensuring working relationship with the opposition, despite political differences.

He said the parliament unanimously approved making it compulsory to write Khatimun Nabeen before the name of Holy Prophet in every government documents. He said legislation was made on teaching of Quran in Urdu, Naya Pakistan Housing Authority, Billion Tree Tsunami and to bring Pakistan out of Financial Action Task Force's grey list.