KARACHI: Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed the resolve to fully protect the interests of the business community through an ordinance insulating it from the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) fear.
Addressing the Awards distribution ceremony of Pakistan Stock Exchange in Karachi on Friday evening, he said that the NAB should scrutinize only public office holders and stay away from the business community.
Imran Khan said no state can progress without wealth creation and the government will provide the utmost facilitation to the business community for this purpose.
He said next year will dawn with the growth of the industry, small and medium enterprises and incentives for investors and businessmen.
The Prime Minister said the economic team of the government will remain in touch with the business community to facilitate them.
He said that the tourism sector in Pakistan has a huge potential along with the fact that we have been declared the best country for holiday destinations.
He asked the business community to come forward for the development of our tourist spots and promote the hotel industry to facilitate the tourism sector.
Later, the Prime Minister distributed awards among the top 25 performers of the Pakistan Stock Exchange.
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday while reiterating the government’s vision to bring Pakistan among the developed countries said that we are on the path to stability and year 2020 is the year of growth.
He said that there were two basic principles of the state of Madinah as it stood on the principles of justice and humanity.
The prime minister said that the government is responsible for the rights of the weaker sections, adding that there should be one law for all human beings and one justice system for all in the country.
Imran Khan said government has achieved a number of economic targets during the current year. He said economic team of the government will remain in touch with business community to facilitate them and all obstacles are being removed in ease of doing business.
The Prime Minster however said the inflation rate is currently high and it will bring down in coming months. He said that 2019 was our year of reforms and these reforms have started producing results that will be much more visible in the next year.
He said that his adviser on finance and revenue, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, had informed people about the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) efforts to bolster the economy.
“A crucial problem was that the current account was in deficit, foreign exchange reserves had depleted, there were no dollars, debt worth Rs10 billion had to be repaid, and there was a serious risk of the country defaulting,” he said.
“We had to take some hard steps so that the country would not default. All those who understand this issue know what would have happened [in case of a default] and we have seen that happening in the Latin American countries and Lebanon.
“Thank God that the rupee has become stable [and] the investor confidence returned. We have experienced hard times and are entering 2020 with good hopes. 2020 will be the year of growth,” he added.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that promotion of economic activities and bringing people out of poverty are the top priorities of his government.
Talking to a delegation of business community, who called on the premier in Karachi, PM Imran urged the traders to help boost economic process in the country.
All the stakeholders should jointly work for economic stability in the country, he added. Terming business community an important part of the economy, PM Imran vowed to address their issues on priority basis.
Governor of Sindh Imran Ismail, Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance Hafeez Shaikh, Jahangir Khan Tareen and others were present in the meeting.
Meanwhile, a delegation comprising Members of National Assembly (MNAs) from Sindh called on Prime Minister Imran Khan here in Karachi.
PTI lawmakers apprised PM Imran Khan about issues of their constituencies, said sources.
On the other hand, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Sindh chapter leadership also met with PM Khan at governor house, Karachi where they discussed party matters and political situation of the country.
Meanwhile, Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance Hafeez Shaikh on Friday said that international financial institutions were affirming Pakistan’s economic growth.
Addressing PSX Top 25 Companies Award in Karachi, Hafeez Shaikh said that the government effective polices and economic reforms were bearing fruit. He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government steer the country out of economic crises.
Hafeez Shaikh said that the incumbent government has promoted business friendly environment in the country and taken effective measures to increase exports.
The adviser said that the government did not take loan from the State Bank of Pakistan during the last six months and added that prices of petroleum products were not increased during the last five months. He maintained that they will provide relief to the poor people of the country despite low budget.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Imran Khan had vowed to transform Pakistan into a developed country. – NNI