ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the government is taking steps to protect the common man from the impact of inflation, urging industrialists to work with the government in this regard.
Talking to a delegation of prominent industrialists and businessmen on Wednesday, the prime minister said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf had included IT and textile export policy in its party manifesto even before it came into power, and its fruits are now clearly visible. He said that due to business-friendly policies of the government, the country’s ten largest companies earned a profit of Rs929 billion last year.
He said that the government has taken historic steps to promote investment and business in the country. He said that exports of the textile sector reached a record high of $21 billion and it is expected that they will expand to $26 billion next year.
He said that Pakistan has become the world’s fourth largest motorcycle manufacturer, while tractors’ exports have increased by ten percent. He said along with the sectors of IT and textile focus should also be on defence production and engineering sectors.
The prime minister said during his visit to China, the government will discuss enhancing ties between Pakistani and Chinese industrialists and setting up joint ventures.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that there are vast opportunities in the defence manufacturing sector that can be benefited through public-private partnership. He assured full support for the implementation of the government’s policies for the development of the country.
Meanwhile, chairing a meeting on issues related to Peshawar Electric Supply Company on Wednesday, Prime Minister Khan said the government is taking steps to reduce line losses and check theft of electricity in the country.
He said that it is the responsibility of government institutions to provide utmost facilitation to the people and redress their complaints on priority basis.
Taking notice of complaints of parliamentarians from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa PESCO, the prime minister said the government is taking measures to improve transmission system of electricity in the province, he said government is ensuring meritocracy and transparency in appointments in state organizations.
The prime minister was briefed about the power load shedding and monitoring system, steps taken to curb power theft and its prevention, and the shortage of manpower and new appointments in PESCO.
The meeting was informed that in order to reduce line losses in PESCO, the government has prepared a comprehensive plan to improve the power transmission system, after which the supply of electricity required to meet the demand can be ensured.
The prime minister directed to complete the ongoing steps in a timely manner and to enhance cooperation between the federal and provincial governments and institutions for resolving issues.
