Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said that the national economy has been sufficiently improving due to an increase in the foreign exchange reserves and development of trade and industry sectors. He added that this would secure a bright future for the country.
He said this while talking to the Federal Commerce Minister Khurram Dastagir who called on him in Islamabad, today. The chief minister said that the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) government has set new records of economic development in its four year tenure despite facing hurdles in the CPEC projects. The government has created a favorable environment for businesses. This, he said, has in-turn led to greater investment landing in Pakistan.
The chief minister said that there are elements that are misguiding people are leading them towards poverty and are working on an anti-development agenda from the very first day of the current government. He said that the performance of the government is evident in every sector. As the government has set new standards of development during the last four years, record of unreasonable opposition to such beneficial projects has also been set, mainly by the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI).
He said that the federal and Punjab governments have introduced different programs in their budgets for the solution of problems confronting the people which will also help in achieving socio-economic developments. These programs are in accordance with the ground realities and reflect the aspirations of the people. Implementation on these programs will help in achieving multiple targets including poverty alleviation and eradication of unemployment along with ensuring promotion of regional trade, protection of cottage industry and promotion of economic cooperation.
The chief minister, while speaking about the facilities provided by the government for the setting up of industrial zones and new industrial units, said that the internal and external investments have increased due to the trade friendly policies of the government. He said that a significant amount of mega projects are near completion. He added that these projects will further augment the process of economic development. He said that issue of load shedding has been overcome with the rapidly completed projects. He said that with energy crisis out of the picture, the industries and commerce of Pakistan will flourish.
Khurram Dastagir said that Pakistan has been termed as a favourable country for trade and investment in the region. He added that entrepreneurs and foreign investors are making full benefit of trade and economic activities which has given protection to the local industry, while the targets of consumption of raw material and creation of job opportunities have also been achieved. He also congratulated the chief minister for completion of 1320 MW coal power plant in a record period of 22 months.
