ISLAMABAD – The Senate was informed on Thursday that remittances this yearwill increase to 22 billion dollars breaking the stagnant mode of theprevious years.
Minister of State for Revenue Hammad Azhar told the House during QuestionHour that exports have increased to 25 billion dollars and the governmentis committed to enhance them further to strengthen economy.
He said work on NFC Award is underway and the government is committed toprovide due share to the erstwhile FATA.
Responding to a question regarding inflation, the Minister of State saidinflation rate in April reduced to 8.8 percent from 9.4 percent in March.He said the inflation rate in the first eight months of PTI government isthe lowest as compared to the corresponding period in the last twogovernments.
He said talks with IMF are at the final stage and its details will soon beshared with parliament.
About reforms in Federal Board of Revenue, he said Internal Audit Wing ofthe department will be made autonomous to remove the conflict of interestwithin the organization.
The Minister of State said findings of Egmont Group, an informal network of159 financial intelligence units to control money laundering, will beincorporated in Anti-Money Laundering Act.
He said after incorporating findings of the group Pakistan will be in astrong position to become member of the group, and this membership willenable Pakistan to have technical assistance in forensic and tracing ofmoney trails data.
Minister for Planning and Development Reforms Khusro Bakhtyar told thehouse that Gwadar will be connected with the national grid at a cost of17.5 billion rupees.
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He said consensus has been developed with the stakeholders on Gwadar masterplan. He said regional equalization strategy is the agenda of government tobring less developed areas at par with rest of the country.
Khusro Bakhtyar said in next PSDP, Balochistan will be given its due sharewhich was ignored by the previous governments.
He said eight billion rupees will also be allocated for completion of theremaining work of Kachhi Canal.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Azam Khan Swati told the house that twonew automobile companies will start their production in January and Julynext year.
He said with the arrival of new companies a competitive environment willflourish.
The House will now meet again on Friday at 10:30 in the morning.
