Daily Times

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that country’s economy was on path to stability and due to steps taken in this regard, stock market was showing brisk business.

He said that foreign investment was a reflection of confidence in the government’s policies.

The prime minister received a briefing from the Ministry of Finance regarding the country’s economy and the meeting with the IMF delegation, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

The prime minister was briefed on the economic indicators and the current situation of inflation. The meeting was also briefed on the steps taken against tax evasion and those facilitating such theft.

The prime minister stressed that public relief should be accorded priority on all other steps and they were taking all possible measures to fulfill public promises.

He also expressed satisfaction over the sliding down of the inflation rate to 7 percent from 38 percent and said the interest rate was lowered from 22 percent to 15 percent which would spur business activities and create jobs opportunities in the country.

The meeting was attended by ministers including Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, Dr Mussadik Malik, Ali Pervaiz Malik, PM’s coordinator Rana Ahsan Afzal and relevant senior officials.

Prime Minister Sharif further observed that due to surge in exports and record remittances, the country’s foreign reserves had increased.

He also praised Punjab chief minister and the provincial government for reforms in the agriculture sector.

The prime minister directed for accelerating actions against tax defaulters, and reiterated to bring the tax evaders and their facilitators to book.

“The country’s economy can progress well when all the stakeholders meet their responsibilities. All sectors should pay taxes to play their role in the national progress,” a press release quoted the prime minister as saying.

Separately, a meeting of the National Apex Committee, scheduled to review the implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) on counter-terrorism, was postponed owing to PM Shehbaz Sharif’s “ill health”.

Doctors had reportedly advised him to take complete rest two days ago due to fever and chest infection. After a follow-up check-up this evening, future appointments will be decided, they say.

The meeting, which was supposed to be chaired by the Prime Minister, was intended to review the overall law and order situation. It was also set to analyze the increasing incidents of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan and approve key decisions.