Govt overcame various challenges during last two years: Shibli

Govt overcomes various challenges during last two years: Shibli

(Web Desk) - Minster for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz says the government has overcome various challenges during the last two years, putting the country on the path of development.

Addressing a news conference along with other cabinet members about two-year performance of the government in Islamabad on Thursday, he said good days have begun as we are turning the corner.

The Minister said the country’s economy has become strong, which is evident from the COVID-19 crisis. He, however, said the government is still facing various challenges, including price-hike, hoarding and smuggling, which will also be addressed.

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan’s topmost priority is to reduce prices of the essential commodities.

Shibli Faraz said the PTI government will implement its complete manifesto during its five-year term.

The Minister said the politics of vested interests and corruption is going to end, and it is going to be replaced by the politics of public service.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Institutional Reforms Dr. Ishrat Hussain said 73,000 redundant posts, lying vacant for more than one year, have been abolished. He made it clear that the government is not going to deprive anyone of job and we only abolished the redundant posts to reduce size of the federal government as an austerity measure. He said 440 various federal departments and institutions have been reduced to 324. He said these departments have lost their importance and their reduction will result in saving government expenditure.

The Adviser said automation is our top priority to check corruption, bad governance, and discretionary powers of the government functionaries. He said Information Technology has cardinal role in introducing automation in government departments to improve their performance. He said business process will be made easy by introducing e-filing.

Dr Ishrat Hussain said we are going to introduce Public Finance Management System under which government departments have to present their reports before the parliament. He said loss making entities like Pakistan International Airlines and Pakistan Steel Mills have been continuously bleeding the economy of the country and now steps are being taken to reform and restructure PIA, PSM and Federal Board of Revenue to make them efficient and modern entities. He said now refunds of the business community will be given in an automated manner to ensure transparency.

Regarding civil service reforms, the Adviser said earlier cadre officers were offered trainings and now it will be available for non-cadre people as well. He said now promotion to various posts will be made on performance and training basis instead of relying on the seniority only.

Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul said the present government has taken unprecedented steps over the last two years for the protection of environment. She said these measures are also being recognized worldwide.

She said ten billion Tree Tsunami Project is actively being pursued and it will help provide one million jobs to the youth.

The Minister of State said we are also working with the Ministry of National Food Security on climate resilient agriculture project in order to protect this vital sector of economy from the adverse impacts of the climate change.

Addressing the news conference, Special Assistant on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam said the PTI government had set five-point agenda to address the climate change challenges.

He said the five point agenda included Ten Billion Tree Tsunami, Clean and Green Pakistan, Plastic Bags, Electrical Vehicles and Protected Areas.

On Ten Billion Tree Tsunami, Malik Amin Aslam said the federal government developed a consensus among the provinces on the project, and it is being implemented in all the four provinces as well as in AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan. He said the target of one billion trees will be achieved in June next year.

He said public approach is changing at local level to make Pakistan clean and green. He said the situation about Clean and Green Pakistan is being monitored in 20 cities in view of the set 35 indicators.

The Special Assistant said Electric Vehicle Policy has been approved. He said charging stations are being installed. He hoped manufacturing of various electric vehicles will start soon in the country.

Regarding banning plastic bags, the Adviser said the law about banning plastic bags was enforced by 80 percent in the federal capital. He said provinces also emulated the federal government’s decision about banning of plastic bags.

He said the government has also announced to establish national parks in the country.

Malik Amin Aslam said thousands of jobs are being created in the projects being executed under the Ministry of Climate Change.

He said the initiatives taken by the government about climate change have earned appreciation for the country at international level.

Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood said government has taken all necessary steps for promotion of exports which has helped reduce current account deficit to 3 billion dollars from 20 billion dollars.

He said that country received the record remittances in the month of July this year which is a good news for the economy. Abdul Razak Dawood said that government formulated a comprehensive export promotion strategy and expressed the confidence that the positive trend witnessed in July will continue in the months ahead.

He said that government has announced incentives for 5 major industries. He said Ease of doing business, Made in Pakistan, tariff reforms and other policies of government are strengthening the economy of the country.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said record legislation was made in the parliament by ensuring working relationship with the opposition, despite political differences.

He said the parliament unanimously approved making it compulsory to write Khatimun Nabeen before the name of Holy Prophet in every government documents. He said legislation was made on teaching of Quran in Urdu, Naya Pakistan Housing Authority, Billion Tree Tsunami and to bring Pakistan out of Financial Action Task Force’s grey list.