ISLAMABAD: Pakistani President Arif Alvi on Monday lauded the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government for its achievements on various fronts, including economy, social and human development, and foreign policy, to put the country on the path of a bright future, the state-run Radio Pakistan reported.
The president was addressing a joint parliamentary sitting at the Parliament House in Islamabad, which marked the beginning of the ruling party’s 4th parliamentary year, amid a protest by opposition members and journalists over a proposed law that they said was aimed at stifling dissent in the country.
Hundreds of journalists camped outside Pakistan’s parliament on Monday protested the proposed law that seeks to create a new regulator and set up special tribunals to try media-related cases, but a minister in Prime Minister Imran Khan’s cabinet backed the proposal, asking how were “journalist protection and hefty fines on fake news against the law.”
Pakistan, which is home to roughly 220 million people, has long been fighting poverty, lack of justice, equality and education, especially for women, extremism and lately the climate change. Successive governments over the years have vowed to turn around the situation, but none could apparently go beyond mere promises, while the country’s economy kept on deteriorating.
“Despite the negative impact of Covid-19, the country’s economy has been put on a positive trajectory,” President Alvi said in his speech, expressing satisfaction over 3.94 percent economic growth during the last fiscal year.
“Exports touched the figure of $25.3 billion and remittances $19.4 billion during the last financial year,” he said, adding that remittances witnessed an increase of 10 percent in the first two months of this fiscal year.
The president said the country’s revenue authority collected Rs4,732 billion in taxes and duties during the last fiscal year and an additional Rs160 billion in the first two months of this year. “This enhancement in remittances and revenue collection shows the confidence of the masses in the policies of the government.”
Alvi appreciated the government for a comprehensive package for the construction industry in order to uplift the weak segments of the society.
People were being provided easy loans to build their own houses, he said, adding that these achievements on the economic front were a reality and the opposition would have to accept it.
He said the agriculture sector witnessed a growth of 2.7 percent, while exports in the IT sector touched the mark of $2.12 billion, along with various programs to provide skill training to the youth. He said 1.7 million people had so far been provided vocational training in this regard.
The president lauded a number of social security initiatives under the Ehsaas program for socio-economic development of people, saying Rs208 billion rupees had been allocated for the program that were to benefit about 30 percent of the country’s population.
Among the other initiatives he mentioned were the Ehsaas Nashonuma, Waseela Taleem, Ehsaas Kafalat, Ehsaas Scholarship, Emergency Cash, Langarkhana and Koi Bhooka Na Soye programs, which he said would significantly contribute to socio-economic development across the country.
“Pakistan is heading toward universal health coverage under the government’s Sehat Sahulat Programme,” Alvi said. “Eighteen million families are currently benefiting from this program and hopefully the health card scheme will soon reach every corner of the country.”
About the education sector, he said the government has introduced a single national curriculum and announced massive scholarships for students to promote education in the country.
Regarding protection of women rights, the president said the government had not only legislated, but also taken administrative measures to prevent incidents of sexual harassment against women and children. He appreciated the government for undertaking legislation to protect women’s hereditary rights.
On climate change, Alvi said the government had launched the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami and Clean Green Pakistan initiatives to mitigate negative impacts of environmental degradation.
Pakistani president lauds government’s economic measures in parliamentary session marred by protest
https://arab.news/9ebdh
Pakistani president lauds government’s economic measures in parliamentary session marred by protest
- He presented Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s three-year report card in a joint parliamentary sitting
- Dr. Arif Alvi said achievements in different sectors have put Pakistan on the path of a bright future
Pakistan orders four-day workweek, shuts schools to save fuel amid Middle East oil crisis
- The development comes as ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iran disrupt oil supplies in Strait of Hormuz, push prices past $119 a barrel
- Islamabad bans government purchases, cuts fuel allocation for vehicles as well as workforce in public and private offices by 50 percent
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced austerity measures, including a four-day work week, cuts in government expenditures and closure of schools, to offset the impact of rising global oil prices due to an ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Global fuel supply lines have been disrupted in the Strait of Hormuz, which supplies nearly a fourth of world oil consumption, after Tehran blocked it following United States-Israeli strikes on Iran and counterattacks against US interests in the Gulf region.
Oil prices surged more than 25 percent globally on Monday to $119.50 a barrel, the highest levels since mid-2022, as some major producers cut supplies and fears of prolonged shipping disruptions gripped the market due to the expanding US-Israeli war with Iran.
In his televised address on Sunday night, Sharif said global oil prices were expected to rise again in the coming days but vowed not to let the people bear their brunt, announcing austerity measures to lessen the impact of fuel price hikes.
“Fifty percent staff in public and private entities will work from home,” he announced, adding this would not be applicable to essential services. “Offices will remain open for four days a week. One-day additional off is being given to conserve oil, but it would not be applicable to banks.”
Sharif didn’t specify working days of the week and the government was likely to issue a notification in this regard.
He said a decrease of 50 percent was being made in fuel allocation for government vehicles immediately for the next two months, but they would not include ambulances and public buses.
“Cabinet members, advisers and special assistants will not draw salaries for the next two months, 25 percent salaries of parliamentarians are being deducted, two-day salaries of Grade 20 and above officers, or those who are paid Rs300,000 ($1,067) a month, are being deducted for public relief,” he said.
Similarly, there will be 20 percent reduction in public department expenses and a complete ban on the purchase of cars, furniture, air conditioners and other goods, according to the prime minister.
Foreign trips of ministers and other government officials will also be banned along with government dinners and iftar buffets, while teleconferences and online meetings will be given priority.
“All schools will be off for two weeks, starting from the end of this week, and all higher education institutions should immediately begin online classes,” he said.
Sharif’s comments were aired hours after Pakistani authorities said the country had “comfortable levels” of petroleum stocks and the supply chains were functioning smoothly, despite intensifying Middle East conflict.
Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said three oil shipments were due to reach Pakistan this week, state media reported.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Navy (PN) launched ‘Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr’ to safeguard national energy shipments, the Pakistani military said on Monday, amid disruptions to critical sea lanes due to the conflict.
The navy is conducting escort operations in close coordination with the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing. It is fully cognizant of the prevailing maritime situation and is actively monitoring and controlling the movement of merchant vessels to ensure their safe and secure transit.
“With approximately 90 percent of Pakistan’s trade conducted via sea, the operation aims to ensure that vital sea routes remain safe, secure, and uninterrupted,” the ISPR said on Monday. “Currently, PN ships are escorting 2 x Merchant Vessels, one of which is scheduled to arrive Karachi today.”
