Country's tax collection, exports increasing: Hammad Azhar

Government focusing on improving the electricity transmission system, says minister

Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar said on Saturday that the country's tax collection and exports were increasing as a result of better policies made by the incumbent PTI-led government.

The minister's remarks came while he addressed the media in Islamabad wherein he said the current government had introduced historic reforms in different sectors, including energy, to take Pakistan forward.

"The process of reforms would continue in the months and years ahead in order to ensure sustainable development," he said. "We target to collect Rs6,000 billion in taxes during the current fiscal year whilst our exports and remittances each will touch $30 billion."

The minister added that the government was also focusing on improving the electricity transmission system in the country.

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"70 to 80 per cent of electricity will be produced from indigenous resources by 2030," he said. "We have started work on the construction of ten dams."

He further pointed out that country's gas reserves were depleting and the government has to look for various options to meet the domestic requirement.

Regarding the recently passed bill envisaging autonomy for the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Hammad Azhar rejected the impression that it would be a risk to national security.

The minister pointed out that the governor, deputy governor and board of directors of the central bank would be appointed by the government.

"This legislation will free the SBP from politicized decisions," he assured.