Staff Reporter
Karachi
Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance Hafeez Shaikh on Friday said that international financial institutions were affirming Pakistan’s economic growth. Addressing PSX Top 25 Companies Award in Karachi, Hafeez Shaikh said that the government effective polices and economic reforms were bearing fruit.
He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government steer the country out of economic crises. Hafeez Shaikh said that the incumbent government has promoted business friendly environment in the country and taken effective measures to increase exports.
The adviser said that the government did not take loan from the State Bank of Pakistan during the last six months and added that prices of petroleum products were not increased during the last five months. He maintained that they will provide relief to the poor people of the country despite low budget.
Meanwhile, Adviser to PM on Finance Abdul Hafeez Sheikh said the government had, so far, returned $10 billion worth of foreign loans.
The finance adviser said that the government had taken effective measures to increase exports of the country. “We did face some difficulties while introducing economic reforms, but they have started yielding positive results,” he added.
Hafeez Sheikh said that the State Bank of Pakistan was truly empowered for the first time and allowed to make its own decisions including devising the monetary policy.
“We wish the institutions to play their respective roles,” he said. “We want to empower them in making their own decisions.”
The finance adviser further said the government wanted to create jobs for people by facilitating the private sector.
“Those will be better quality jobs and people will be appointed on the basis of their capabilities and skills,” he maintained.