No decision on wheat export: Shehbaz

Exhorts ministries to roll up sleeves and deliver results

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday told the National Assembly that the government had made no decision for the export of wheat.

“No decision has been made for the export of wheat. I want to bring it on record before the house that there is no such decision for the wheat export,” he told the National Assembly responding to a point of order raised by a parliamentarian.

However, referring to the PTI government’s sugar and wheat scams, he reminded the house that it was also on record that in the past wheat and sugar were first exported and later imported, questioning where the billions and trillions of rupees went.

The prime minister also appreciated National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq for showing “generosity” to give floor to the opposition leader which was not practiced during the speakership of Asad Qaiser.

Ministers

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, warning against any laxity in the implementation of the government’s downsizing agenda, asked the ministries to work hard for making a difference and meeting the nation’s expectations.

“I will not allow my time to waste and I am sure you will not allow your time to be wasted. The only thing that will make the difference is action and implementation. Roll up your sleeves as this is a matter of the country, its resources and resolution of its issues,” the prime minister said in his remarks while chairing the meeting of the federal cabinet.

The prime minister also highlighted that Pakistan spends $5 billion on freight of exports and imports but Pakistan National Shipping Corporation was running a fleet of just 12 ships while getting Rs5 billion for salaries. This is contrary to around 600 ships being run by Bangladesh and around 1,500 ships by India.

“But no one cares. At least they should have flagged the issues to seek their resolution,” he said and also referred to the evasion of import duties worth Rs1,200 billion on Karachi Port.

He told the meeting that on Tuesday, the government had announced a Rs50 billion relief package to support the power consumers of the protected category for three months. “During these three months, I want massive fiscal space through enforcement like plugging financial leakages and addressing tax evasion,”, he added.