Common people to derive benefits of economic stability in 2020: Firdous Awan

ISLAMABAD: The common people of Pakistan will drive benefits of economic stability in 2020, Prime Minister Imran Khan's special assistant on information and broadcasting, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, said Tuesday.

Dr Awan was speaking at a press conference where she said the country's overall political and economic situation was analysed in Tuesday's cabinet meeting. The premier had taken certain decisions keeping in mind the country's priorities at the start of 2019 and informed  cabinet members about that.

"2020 will be year of development and prosperity for people, 2020 will be year of relief to people, 2020 will be year of common people," she noted.

The special assistant said establishing shelters and langars was to show solidarity and sympathy with the poor. There was a Rs6-billion subsidy programme for food items to be introduced in the first week of January 2020, she said, adding that a Financial Assistance Card would also be issued.

Medical needs of the people will be fulfilled through the Insaf Health Card, she said, adding that setting up more shelters and langars in cities was PM Imran's aim.

Speaking of economic indicators, Dr Awan said current account deficit decreased 73 percent during the ongoing year, while the foreign exchange reserves grew 14 percent and trade balance sunk 40 percent. Imports reduced compared to last year, while exports registered a 4.7 percent gain as opposed to the comparable period.

She said the cabinet was told there was a 6.6 percent improvement in services trade balance and a 17-percent growth in tax collection.

"We cannot fight the wars of the elite class but have to fight for those who are the 95 percent, the custodians of this country," Dr Awan said. She added that some 100 industries were shut down in the previous government's tenure in Faisalabad, Sialkot, and Gujranwala but the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government ensured they resumed operations again.

Further, she said the premier advised cabinet members that there should be more focus on the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and it would be prioritised in 2020, with provinces to report on the funds transferred accordingly on how that money was spent, and the projects initiated.

Referring to an in-camera briefing prior to the cabinet meeting, she said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Ordinance, 2019, and the anti-graft watchdog's laws were discussed and members shared their own suggestions on the matter.

The prime minister said there was a roadmap to improvement through  the ordinance and reiterated that he had removed the thorns in the business community's way. Investors should step up and invest in the country, which will lead to more jobs, wealth creation, momentum for the wheel of economy, more buying power, and low inflation, he said, according to Dr Awan.

The cabinet lauded PM Imran's efforts for occupied Kashmir, demanded all global institutions to take notice of the situation in the Muslim-majority region, and strongly condemned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intended move to eliminate minorities through the controversial citizenship law — Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019.

The cabinet also approved the appointments of Shahid Saleem Khan and Muhammad Hashim as the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited's (OGDCL) managing director and head of leader of small- and medium-enterprises, respectively.