Development agenda: Chief minister receives IMF, Chinese teams

LAHORE:

An International Monetary Fund delegation called on Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. Steps proposed for enhancing resources for public welfare and reforms in the tax system were discussed during the meeting. Sharif said improving living standards was a top priority of the government.

He said his government was devoted to public welfare. He said the government had saved billions of rupees through austerity measures and had spent it on uplifting living standards. The chief minister said tax reforms were being introduced to raise resources for education and health. He said besides creating job opportunities, the government had fixed targets for economic growth. He said the government aimed to create 2 million jobs in three years.

Chinese delegation

A Chinese delegation also met Sharif. Matters regarding increasing cooperation in various sectors were discussed during the meeting. Talking to the delegation, the chief minister said Chinese cooperation had been vital for Pakistan in the recent years. He said the Punjab government had completed the first 100 megawatt solar project at Quaid-i-Azam Solar Park. He said it would soon start generating electricity. He said a number of Chinese companies were investing in Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2015.