Senator Irfan-Ul-Haque Siddiqui, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education & Professional Training presiding over a meeting of the committee at Parliament House
Macroeconomic stability, protection of vulnerable segments top priorities in budget: Azhar Kiyani
ISLAMABAD, Jun 9 (APP):Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Economy and Energy Bilal Azhar Kayani Friday said that macroeconomic stability to ensure financial discipline through effective policies and protection of vulnerable segments of the society was the topmost priorities in fiscal year budget 2023-24.
Talking to a private news channel, he said the budget would prove helpful to make the country’s economy strong by increasing exports.
Azhar Kayani said the government was making all out efforts to bring the country out of economic crises and all institutions were striving to give the Prime Minister’s road map a reality.
He said several mega government schemes and packages dedicated to welfare of women and youth were initiated by Pakistan Muslim League-N.
The coordinator said the government had extended relief to the people through enhancing allocations for Benazir Income Support Program, Free Atta distribution, reduction in the prices of essential items at Utility Stores Corporation and Kissan package.
He said the government also reduced the prices of petroleum products to provide relief to masses.
Azhar Kayani further highlighting the performance of PML-N government during the period between 2013-18, and regretted that the PTI government reversed the process of development in the country.
He said the present democratic system had initiated well-conceived projects of bringing economic reforms and ensuring transparency in matters of governance.
Ms. Shazia Marri Federal Minister PA & SS and Chairperson Benazir Income Support (BISP) Programme witness the Contract Signing Ceremony Between KFW (German Development Bank) and BISP
Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjarani, MNA Muhammad Khalid Magsi and Senator Naseebullah Bazai called on the Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar was also present in the meeting
PPP’s victory in by-election reflect AJK people’s confidence over PPP: Kundi
ISLAMABAD, Jun 9 (APP): Federal Minister of State for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety and Central Information Secretary of PPP Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday said Pakistan People’s Party’s success in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) by-election reflected the AJK’s people’s confidence and support for the party.
Addressing a news conference here, Faisal Kundi congratulated the office bearers and workers of PPP for their hard work and sincerity that led to success in AJK by-election.
“Support of AJK people were with PPP yesterday, today and will remain in future”, he said.
Faisal Kundi while criticizing Imran Khan said that he who claimed that anyone given a ticket by him in the election will succeed can see how people of AJK supported PPP despite his video address.
“This is a clear message for those who were saying that PPP is only limited to Sindh province that political leaders from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Gilgit-Baltistan are also joining PPP in a great number”, he said.
About the newly formed political party, Faisal Kundi said that PPP always welcomed democratic political parties.
The SAPM also said that PPP has always advocated the stance of the people of Indian Illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K) for their demand of holding a plebiscite.
Regarding Minister for Foreign Affairs Bilawal Bhutto’s recent visit to Iraq, the SAPM said that the joint statement between Pakistan and Iraq was a historic act and added that during his highly successful visit, he discussed with the high official important issues including visa exemption, provision of legal assistance to the prisoners, facilitation for the Zaireen and legalization of Pakistani workers.
Minister Kundi said fruitful discussions were also held regarding strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the trade, tourism, and health sectors.
The SAPM said that Bilawal Bhutto also laid the foundation stone for Pakistan’s new embassy building in Iraq which he termed as a significant step for fostering the diplomatic ties between the two countries.
The foundation stone will be laid for Pakistan’s Consulate in Najaf soon, he added.
During the visit, the plan of starting a Ferry service from Karachi and Gwadar to Iraq also came under consideration to facilitate the visitors, Faisal Kundi conveyed.
The interior minister of Iraq will be coming to Pakistan to finalize the commitments made during the visit in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the official level, Faisal Kundi said.
Referring to President Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) Asif Ali Zardari’s recent address, the SAPM said that Asif Zardari’s address about economy was appreciated by the people, especially the business community.
PPP will hold meetings with the Chambers of Commerce of different provinces to brief the business community about its plans and get their valuable feedback.
About the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) Faisal Kundi said that the dynamic survey continued across the country successfully. So far, around 1.9 million have registered in the dynamic National Socio-Economic Registry.
He also disclosed that the new installment of Rs. 9,000 (after an increase of 25 percent) will be issued soon for the Kafaalat beneficiaries.
PM forms committee to address BAP’s reservations on Balochistan projects
ISLAMABAD, Jun 9 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday formed a committee to address the reservations of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) regarding the development projects and issues faced by the Balochistan province.
The prime minister constituted the body as a BAP delegation called on him headed by Senate Chairman Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani.
The committee would comprise Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, Khalid Hussain Magsi, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidari, Agha Hassan Baloch, Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal, Dr Musaddiq Malik, Azam Nazeer Tarar and Manzoor Kakar.
The prime minister tasked the committee to hold a detailed consultation and present him a report within a week.
In the meeting, the BAP decided to take part in the budget session and extend its full support to the government.
The prime minister said that being an important coalition partner, the BAP played a key role in every decision making of the government.
He said the Balochistan’s development could not be carried out without BAP’s input and that the country’s progress was linked with that of Balochistan province.
The Senate chairman appreciated the prime minister for his keen interest and special measures for the uplift of Balochistan.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, BAP Parliamentary Leader Khalid Hussain Magsi and Senator Naseebullah Bazai also attended the meeting.