Govt focusing on job creation, Khusro Bakhtyar informs IMF

Khusro Bakhtyar apprised that new ways of financing were also being explored

ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Minister for Planning and Development Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar on Wednesday said that the government is focusing on human resource development and job creation to protect and provide relief to marginalized segments of the society.

He said this while talking to visiting IMF Mission led by Harald Finger which called on him in Islamabad on Wednesday.

The minister apprised the Mission that keeping in view the economic situation, the PSDP has been rationalized.

He said the PTI-led government has taken a number of corrective measures to revive the national economy and put it on path to sustained growth.

The minister said that emphasis was being laid on attracting investments in areas where it can lead to direct impact on exports or reducing the import bill.

Khusro Bakhtyar apprised that new ways of financing were also being explored. He added that the Government was also paying attention on improving electricity transmission system in the wake of increased power generation capacity.

The minister underlined that robust economic planning was being made to enhance tax to GDP ratio by increasing domestic revenue.

Talking about CPEC, Bakhtyar said that the mega project has now entered into its second phase with focus on industrialization, socio-economic initiatives and joint ventures especially in agriculture sector to increase productivity as well as improve irrigation network system.

The Mission hoped that the measures being taken by the government would enable it to achieve economic turnaround.

The visiting IMF Mission appreciated CPEC for increasing energy production in its initial phase and said that it will aid in achieving sustained economic growth.