Sept 21 , 2015
News
Dar claims govt will overcome power crisis during its tenure
ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar Sunday said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government would overcome power loadshedding from the country during its tenure.
Different power projects of over 7,000 megawatts are underway to get rid of power crisis, he said while talking to state-run television.
The minister said that there was 18 hours loadshedding in previous regime, but now loadshedding has been curtailed to a few hours a day and there is no unscheduled power outage anywhere. “Another LNG based power project of 3,600 megawatts is in the pipeline and will help mitigate loadshedding,” Dar said.
Pakistan’s economic ranking was noticing upward trend, as the world had acknowledged Pakistan’s rapid economic development, he said adding all sectors including agricultural and industrial were being given equal importance and attention.
“The impact of economic reforms is visible now and 22 well reputed international organisations have recognised Pakistan’s economic growth,” added Dar.
Talking about the growing middle class in the country, he said it is happening due to solid steps and prudent policies of the government.
“A number of development projects to uplift far-flung areas of the country had been launched in the country and the government is making earnest efforts to bring the remote areas at par with developed,” he maintained.
Ishaq Dar said that tax base was expanding and revenue generation has increased considerably due to the tax reforms. “The confidence of international community in Pakistan has increased and now foreign investors are pouring in,” he emphasised.
He expressed the confidence that Pakistan’s Euro Bond this year would again be a success like the previous year and Pakistan’s ranking in world economies will improve upward.
To a question, he said, the annual financial assistance under Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) for deserving and needy citizens had been enhanced from Rs 12,000 to Rs 18,000.
To another question the minister replied, when the PML-N government sworn in, the foreign reserves of State Bank of Pakistan were less than $ three billion, but untiring efforts of the government took it to $13.5 billion. “The total foreign reserves of the country are now at $18.5 billion - the highest in country’s history,” he highlighted.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk