Month: January 2023

Minister for Finance Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar says Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan is responsible for economic crisis in the country.

 

He was addressing a presser in Islamabad on Friday.

 

The Finance Minister said Imran Khan is now defaming the country by spreading false propaganda of default.

 

He said the country should be kept first and challenges are being managed. He said the inflation reached historic high during the PTI government’s tenure and the rupee depreciated due to failed economy policies.

 

Reacting to Imran Khan’s latest statement, the Finance Minister said his speech was incorrect and devoid of economic context.

 

Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has expressed the confidence that Pakistan will conclude a deal with the International Monetary Fund in a bid to overcome the financial challenges.

 

Speaking at inaugural ceremony of Greenline train service between Islamabad and Karachi in Islamabad on Friday, the Prime Minister said headway in talks with IMF would help the country address the current economic situation.

 

The IMF delegation will be visiting Islamabad from 31st of this month to 9th of next month to continue discussions regarding the ninth review of the 7 billion dollars Extended Fund Facility.

 

The Prime Minister emphasized the adoption of austerity at a massive scale to tackle difficult economic problems.

 

He said the government has set its priority keeping in view its foreign exchange reserves, thus allowing the import of medicine and food as essential items.

 

Shehbaz Sharif expressed confidence that with dedication and commitment, the country would soon regain its glory.

 

He regretted that the Greenline project, which was initiated during the tenure of then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, was delayed by the previous government in a mala fide.

 

He endorsed the concept of outsourcing Pakistan Railways to make it better equipped and at par with contemporary services.

 

The Prime Minister said Main Line-1 railway track is a top priority for the government.

 

The new train service comprising modern coaches imported from China was launched from the Margalla railway station, Islamabad.

 

The Prime Minister visited various coaches of the train and appreciated the services provided for the travellers to make their journey comfortable.

 

The Greenline train will have stops at Rawalpindi, Chaklala, Lahore, Khanewal, Bahawalpur, Rohri, Hyderabad and Drigh Road, Karachi stations.

 

The turnaround time of the Greenline is set at 22 hours, which will be reduced gradually.

 

Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafiq said the ticket would cover breakfast, lunch, hi-tea, and dinner besides wifi.

 

He said high-quality bedding and utility kits will also be provided to the passengers.

 

He said around 2,200 passengers would benefit from the train service to be run between Islamabad and Karachi.

 

Source: Radio Pakistan

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has directed to take immediate measures to control the prices of essential commodities to provide maximum relief to the common man.

 

He said this while chairing a meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee in Islamabad today to review the prices of essential commodities.

 

The committee directed the Ministry of National Food Security and provincial governments to ensure inter-provincial coordination in order to avoid any shortage of daily commodities particularly wheat before the month of Ramzan.

 

Food secretaries of all the provinces were further instructed to hold a meeting immediately with the Ministry of Food to review the progress of wheat across the country and to ensure its smooth production and supply.

 

During the meeting, a presentation on the price monitoring and inflation was given while representatives from Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Balochistan apprised the forum of current production and supply of wheat and sugar.

 

The Minister directed the stakeholders to closely monitor the price index and to ensure the forecasting in order to avoid any disruption in Ramzan.

 

Ahsan Iqbal also directed officials to take stern action against those involved in market hoarding and there should be zero tolerance against hoarders. He advised the officials to ensure the supply of essential commodities keeping in view the demand which will be increased in the month of Ramzan.

 

During the meeting, the Minister also expressed serious concerns over the increased prices of essential commodities in Islamabad Capital Territory and directed the Chief Commissioner to control the prices immediately. He said there should not be too much difference between the prices of wholesales and retails items.

 

Source: Radio Pakistan

The Senate was informed in categorical terms on Thursday that no back channel diplomacy is presently taking place with India.

 

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar told the house during question hour that hostility coming in from the neighboring country is of unique nature.

 

She said relations have been marred by a number of provocative steps by India. She said the BBC documentary banned by India has vindicated Pakistan’s viewpoint on Gujarat massacre.

 

The Minister of State said Pakistan is keen that its eastern and western borders remain peaceful. She said we continue to be on journey of peace. She described the opening of Kartarpur Corridor as a positive precedent saying such processes must move forward.

 

Minister of State for Law Shahadat Awan told the house that television and radio channels air programs regarding the awareness of farmers.

 

He said both Radio Pakistan and the PTV will be asked to broadcast more such programs with the aim to acquaint farmers with latest technology.

 

He was especially appreciative of Radio Multan’s agriculture specific programs.

 

Responding to a Calling Attention Notice, Minister of State for Finance Aisha Ghaus Pasha said the government has a plan to improve the economic situation.

 

She said it is our determination to protect the poor segments of the society.

 

The Minister of State for Finance said the government inherited a difficult economic situation besides devastating floods and international factors negatively impacted us.

 

She said all the political parties should stand united while rising above political interest to steer the country out of current quagmire.

 

The house will now meet tomorrow at ten thirty am.

 

Source: Radio Pakistan

Former President Asif Ali Zardari and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman met with Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Thursday.

 

The overall political situation of the country was discussed in the meeting.

 

Minister for Defense Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Economic and Political Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Minister for Railways and Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafiq also participated in the meeting.

 

Source: Radio Pakistan