Govt following three-point agenda to spur growth: Dar

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Saturday said that the government was pursuing a three-point agenda, focused on addressing economy, energy and extremism to put the country on path of progress.

In a meeting with Managing Director (MD), World Bank Group, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, the minister said the prime minister has an agenda of addressing the core impediments hampering economic growth in consonance with its true potential.

“Our efforts have started yielding results in addressing long-delayed issues and pulling the country out of its economic woes,” he remarked.

The finance minister highlighted that the macro-economic situation was improving as reforms are making progress; growth is picking up and inflation is in single digits. He said that besides appropriate economic measures, the government was working on a plan to develop infrastructure and meeting the requirements of energy demand in the country. Dar thanked the MD for her personal interest in Pakistan-related programmes including CASA1000 and Dasu hydropower projects. He also spoke about landmark steps the prime minister recently announced with the objective to generate business opportunities for the youth and assist them in attaining educational excellence.

He said that changes were being contemplated in relevant tax laws for permanently eliminating the discretion of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to issue special tax exemptions. He said that the measures will lead to enhanced revenue generation and the country will be able to spend more on the development programmes. He underscored that Privatization strategy was in place to provide a holistic framework for disinvesting public sector assets.

The finance minister informed that good governance, transparency and zero tolerance for corruption remains the hallmark of the government in pursuing strategic partnership with the private sector in PSEs.

Dar said that the prime minister has an agenda of addressing the core impediments that are hampering economic growth. The finance minister said that the government has embraced a proactive energy policy to invite new investment in energy sector with a special emphasis on the renewable and cheap energy sources. He emphasised that the international assistance will help the government in addressing poverty and socio economic uplift of the people.

On the occasion, the WB MD appreciated the economic policies of the government and said that World Bank will help Pakistan in poverty alleviation and promoting shared prosperity for the people of Pakistan. She said that Pakistan has an encouraging macro-economic framework and this will lead to enhanced confidence in Pakistan by international community and institutions. She also appreciated increased allocation for social safety network programmes.

She said that Pakistan has strong support of the World Bank for its economic revival under its leadership and expected fast track progress on energy projects. She mentioned that the focus of the World Bank will remain on tackling the energy crisis, increasing economic opportunity for women and youth and improving service delivery.

She also informed the finance minister that the World Bank would consider Country Partnership Strategy (2014-19) for Pakistan on May 1 this year. She said that participation of the private sector in energy sector reforms will be a strong message to the foreign investors and one success in this regard will lead to another success. She wished success for Pakistan in launching of Eurobonds in the international market and auction of spectrum licenses.

Is a Curse Following Bebo?

First Bebo's Gori Tere Pyaar Mein crashed and dampened her spirits following which she issued a statement that she would not take up work for friendship's sake. Her pairing with Hrithik in Shuddhi after a gap of over a decade created ripples. This was much talked about. However, Hrithik injured himself during the shoot of Bang Bang and opted out of Shuddhi as he would be unable to perform the high octane stunts it called for. This led Bebo to walk out of Shuddhi too.

 

She had been signed for Bombay Samurai opposite Farhan Akhtar and was quite upbeat about this, "I am doing a very interesting film which is going to star Farhan Akhtar and me. I have never worked with Farhan, he directed me in Don when I did the song. It's also going to be an international film which is going to be the first of its kind, which will get an international release apart from releasing in mainstream cinema here." The latest we hear is that this has been put on the backburner. We wonder if some sort of curse is following her!

Pakistan following policy of non-interference in others’ affairs: Sartaj Aziz

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz has said that Pakistan is following the policy of non-interference in the affairs of other countries.

Talking to Radio Pakistan, he said Pakistan had no favourites in Afghanistan and relations with it were improving.

"We have to promote trade with other countries to achieve economic prosperity and reduce dependence on others. This is why Pakistan has adopted the policy of `trade, not aid'," he said.

He said to achieve all these objectives, the government was reviewing policies and making them more effective.

Akram Zaki, former Secretary General Ministry of Foreign Affairs, talking to Radio Pakistan, said without internal stability, a country could not make a strong foreign policy.

Former Foreign Secretary Najam-ud-Din Sheikh said, "Pakistan can attract huge foreign investment by improving internal situation."

Talking about Pakistan's foreign policy, Shahid Amin, a former ambassador, highlighted the importance of Pakistan's relations with Saudi Arabia as nearly 1.5 million Pakistanis were working in the Kingdom.

Khalid Saleem, former Assistant Secretary General OIC, said Pakistan had always tried to adopt a foreign policy, safeguarding its national interests.

"Pakistan is located in a region where foreign powers have their interests. Our geo-strategic location also affects our foreign policy," he added.