PM wants SIFC action plan enforced at the earliest

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar presided over the fifth meeting of the apex committee of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) on Friday.

The Army chief, cabinet members, chief ministers and civil as well as military officials attended the meeting.

The huddle was briefed about the plan of action to remove the obstacles in the way of local and foreign investment in the country and a roadmap was drawn up for dealing with economic and administrative challenges and for the development of the country's economy.

The participants were informed about the comprehensive plan to make the regulation effective. The moot mulled over short, medium and long-term planning to achieve the goals of economic development under the Special Investment Facilitation Council.

The prime minister issued directives to step up efforts to bring in economic betterment and the action plan be enforced within the specified period.

He urged the minister to ensure the implementation.

He said: “Despite the short tenure of the caretaker government, we have to ensure the implementation of the economic recovery plan.

"The implementation of these measures will make it easier for the elected government to implement the programme to restore the country's economy.”

Media briefing 

The caretaker ministers for information, finance and commerce briefed the media about the meeting. Information Minister Murtaza Solangi said the apex committee pondered over practical steps to bring down government expenditure and circular debt on the first day of the two-day meeting.

Steps are being taken to remove obstacles in the way of foreign investment, he said adding that prevention of smuggling is also being worked on. Finance Minister Shamshad Akhtar said the interim setup is working to revive the economy and for this purpose, reforms are being brought in.

Central monitoring units are being created to reduce the losses of government institutions, she said, adding that shares will be sold in the stock exchange to reduce public sector debt.

Commerce and Industry Minister Gohar Ijaz stressed the industries need to be open. The meeting took up the issue of gas and electricity prices, he said, adding that industries should open as this will create jobs. He stressed the need for bettering the export sector saying this would bring down the dollar.