Page 15 - Pakistan Link - November 15, 2019

PAKISTAN NOVEMBER 15, 2019 – PAKISTAN LINK – P15
Economy Stabilizes: Govt. Allocates Government Needs Face-Saving Exit,

Funds for Export & Construction Sectors Not Me: Maulana Fazlur Rehman

The adviser on finance point- Islamabad: Jamiat Ulem-i-Islam-
ed out that cement production also Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur
increase 4.5 percent, which was in- Rehman has said that he could
dicative of the growth of the coun- change his strategy to force Prime
try’s construction sector. Minister Imran Khan to step down
“The country’s exchange rate from his office.
remained stable during the first Speaking on Geo News talk
four months of fiscal year 2019-20 show Jirga, the Maulana, who is
and stock market had also shown a leading a protest in the federal capi-
remarkable recovery,” he said add- tal since October 31, said that any-
ing the government had paid $2.1 thing less than the prime minister’s
billion debts obtained by the previ- resignation would not be acceptable
ous government. to him.
In response to a question, Dr The JUI-F chief, however, add-
Sheikh said the pace of Pakistan’s ed that a solution equivalent to the
economic growth would increase resignation could also be consid-
further in the coming days and the ered, without elaborating on what
Islamabad: The Prime Minister’s (FBR) Chairperson Shabbar Zaidi, government’s target for fiscal year that might be. with the law and constitution.
Adviser on Finance and Revenue, the adviser said the State Bank of 2019-20 could easily be surpassed. He said that his party has put an “When he [Prime Minister Im-
Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, said Pakistan (SBP) had also decided to The adviser also noted that the end to fear of the government as ran] went to the United States, he
Monday Pakistan’s economic sector increase loans for exporters by Rs government had allocated record well as the impression that things wasn’t even received by a school-
had comfortably stabilized now — 100 billion. Rs 152 billion for the development would happen just as Imran Khan teacher,” he said.
something that international insti- Dr Sheikh informed that the of erstwhile FATA during current would want. “He even abused us and the
tutions, including the International government had also decided to al- fiscal year. The Maulana said that his pro- country in his US jalsa,” said Fazl,
Monetary Fund (IMF) and the locate an additional Rs 250 billion In response to a query, Dr test has also quashed the impression referring to the Prime Minister’s ad-
World Bank, have also endorsed. to resolve the problem of circular Sheikh said the determination of that nobody can raise a voice against dress during his first official visit to
“Last week, the IMF had debts in the country’s power sector. discount rate was the job of the the government. the US.
praised Pakistan government’s ef- The government had also al- monitory policy committee and Dispelling the notion that he The JUI-F chief said that Prime
forts of introducing reforms in located an amount of additional Rs the government had given full in- was seeking a face-saving end to end Minister Imran’s politics was based
the economic sector and said that 30 billion for ‘Naya Pakistan Hous- dependence to the SBP’s monetary his protest, he said it was the govern- on just one word and that was call-
it had met all the targets that were ing Scheme’ to be utilized for sub- policy. The committee determined ment which needs a way out. ing others thieves.
set by the IMF for its program with sidies to be given to the builders. the discount rate by keeping in Responding to a question, the Fazl also lashed out at the gov-
the country,” Dr Sheikh said dur- The stakeholders involved in the view various factors, he men- JUI-F chief said that he would be ernment’s negotiating committee,
ing a press conference in the fed- construction sector would also be tioned. happy if his allied parties could ben- saying that they did not have the
eral capital. given special tax concessions, he The adviser said the govern- efit from the pressure he has mount- capability to understand the opposi-
The PM’s adviser explained added. ment was fully focused on control- ed on the government. tion’s demands.
that after a successful dialogue, the Dr Sheikh said during first ling the prices of essential items of The Maulana lashed out at “They don’t have the capabil-
IMF has also approved the release four months of the current fiscal daily use. “We are also taking steps Prime Minister Imran during his ity to understand our demands or
of the second tranche worth $450 year the government had achieved to minimize the role of middle Azadi March speech on Sunday. convey them to the government,”
million to Pakistan. remarkable successes on the eco- men due to which the price of food “Keep sitting on the chair, this he said. “Which is why I tell them to
Besides, the Pakistani govern- nomic front as the trade deficit items jumps when they reach the nation doesn’t recognize you as its bring me the prime minister’s resig-
ment has decided to announce a continued to reduce resulting in end consumers.” ruler,” he told the prime minister. nation.”
Rs200-billion package for export- increase of foreign exchange re- To a query, he said the previ- Fazl said that the government The JUI-F chief criticized the
ers to promote exports besides serves in the country. ous government wasted $20-25 was reminding him about following legislation that was done on Thurs-
increasing production and job op- He said after a big gap of five billion of the nation to artificially the court’s decision. “I want to ask day in the parliament, when a record
portunities in the country. years, the country’s exports had maintain Pakistan rupee’s ex- you, how many judicial verdicts did number of 13 ordinances were ap-
Speaking alongside the PM’s started to increased four percent change rate against the US dollar. you respect?” he posed the question. proved in an hour-and-a-half.
special assistant on information, and that the FBR tax revenues For the past four months, the pet- Fazl claimed the incumbent “Fake ordinances through fake
Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Economic had also grown 16 percent in four rol prices didn’t jump despite the government was afraid of his March. representatives is not acceptable,”
Affairs Minister Hammad Azhar, months compared to same period fact that prices in the international He went on to say his marchers had said Fazl.
and Federal Board of Revenue of last year. markets had increased. reduced the government’s mountain Fazl said that if the nation was
of ego to dust. against those who picked up arms
Islamabad: The government ap- PM Orders Formation of Special Fazl said that this was not the in the name of religion, then Prime
pears to have come under increas- way the country had to be run. Paki- Minister Imran was a ‘Qabza Group’
ing pressure over the issue of price stan could be run only in accordance and he should also be opposed.
hike as Prime Minister Imran Khan Cell for Price Control
on Monday ordered creation of a Contempt Case: IHC Asks Ghulam Sarwar,
special cell for integrated planning and for not borrowing from the State In the heat of arguments after
on demand and supply of essential Bank or zero currency printing over the presser, a questioner asked Dr Firdous to Appear on November 14th
commodities to control their prices. the past four months. Shaikh why he was not moved by to-
Soon after the prime minister The PM’s adviser said the gov- mato being sold for Rs300 and onion Islamabad: The Islam- that?” Justice Minallah
presided over a meeting of his eco- ernment was now focusing on reduc- Rs120 per kg. abad High Court (IHC) on enquired, adding that
nomic managers, his Adviser on ing prices. “Who do you think would He retorted: “From where [you] Monday issued a notice to politics was one thing,
Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, be worried today more than the are quoting these prices, where the Federal Minister for Avia- but such statements
accompanied by Minister for Eco- prime minister who has been given prices [are] increasing? The tomato tion Ghulam Sarwar Khan were making people lose
nomic Affairs Hammad Azhar, Fi- votes by the people?” he said, adding price in the Karachi vegetable [mar- in a petition seeking con- trust in the system.
nance Secretary Naveed Kamran, that PM Khan was holding meeting ket is] Rs17 per kg.” tempt of court proceedings The same bench
Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) after meeting to address the problem According to an official state- against the federal minister decided to club the peti-
chairman Shabbar Zaidi and Special and asking the relevant quarters to ment, the meeting chaired by the for linking the release of tion against Khan with
Finance Secretary Omar Hameed do the needful. prime minister was informed that Nawaz Sharif on bail with a ‘deal’. contempt proceedings against Spe-
Khan, appeared at a news conference He said the government was effective administrative and policy A single-judge bench of the cial Assistant to the Prime Minister
to defend the government policies taking four-five instruments to con- measures were being taken to control high court headed by IHC Chief Jus- on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq
and explain steps they could or have trol prices. It took steps to improve sugar prices and special focus was on tice Athar Minallah asked the min- Awan.
been taking on the pricing front. supplies when prices went up, he discouraging hoarding and profiteer- ister to submit a reply by Thursday. During the proceedings, Dr
More than their explanations, said, recalling the government had ing. It was felt that provision of Rs6 On Saturday, a petition was Awan said that her case had no rela-
they faced question after question released 650,000 tons of wheat from billion to the Utility Stores Corpora- submitted against Khan by a law- tion to that of the federal minister for
about the increase in prices of vari- public sector stocks when flour pric- tion approved by the prime minister yer Khalid Mehmood Khan. While aviation. Justice Minallah responded
ous kitchen items, particularly vege- es started going up and the move had would go a long way in significantly referring to a talk show aired on a that she had held a press conference
tables and fruits, and the policies that a positive impact in the market. reducing the prices of essential com- private television channel, it pointed in official capacity and Khan had
trigger inflation — from high policy Also, he said, there were certain modities. The prime minister was in- out that the minister openly linked also given a statement, which is why
and interest rates to hoarding, black things that the provincial govern- formed that sugar stocks availability the release of Nawaz with a deal be- the two will be heard together.
marketing and short supplies. Some ments should take care of like they was satisfactory in the market. tween the government and the for- Awan, who was in the court
questions also pertained to record should make sure that the prices of The adviser on finance told the mer premier. during the proceedings, said that
prices of tomato going beyond Rs300 produce did not go up as much as prime minister that the government During Monday’s proceedings, Khan had not said anything about
per kg in some cases, besides sugar, these were between the farm and the was now focusing on providing every the petitioner’s lawyer Advocate Ja- the medical board, to which the pe-
wheat flour, onions and potatoes, to market. Then there were some items possible relief to the people as a top hangir Jadoon said that Khan had titioner’s counsel responded that he
name a few. that were being smuggled out of bor- priority along with further strength- made a statement regarding the al- had termed Nawaz’s bail the “result
Dr Shaikh said the government ders to Afghanistan, Central Asian ening economic stability and extend- leged deal and had claimed that a of a deal”.
was not taking any measure that led Republics and Iran and there was a ing maximum facilitations and ease fake medical report could be issued. “I can read the transcript of his
to price hike and claimed credit for need for an effective mechanism to of doing business to the investors “The medical board was formed statement,” the premier’s special
releasing wheat stocks in the market stop that, he added. and business class. by the government — how can he say SARWAR, P28
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