Govt working on plan for reforms in different sectors: PM

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the federal government in consultation with provincial governments was working on a comprehensive plan for reforms in different sectors of the economy.

Addressing the meeting of the Federal Cabinet, which met in Islamabad today, he said power sector, agriculture, digitalization of FBR, commerce and trade are the key focuses of this plan.

The Prime Minister said the recent package announced by Punjab government for electricity consumers, using electricity between 200 to 500 units, is from the provincial budget and there is no contribution by the federal government in it.

Regretting the rumors being spread in this regard, he said there should be no politics on relief measures, and instead all the provincial governments should follow suit and take measures for relief of the people.

The Prime Minister said the federal government is doing its part to provide relief to people across the country. He mentioned the 50 billion rupees subsidy package in electricity prices to consumers across the country, using upto 200 units of electricity for three months from July to September.  He said this relief package covered about 86 percent electricity consumers across the country.

Shehbaz Sharif also mentioned the 70 billion rupees project in collaboration of federal and Balochistan government to shift 28 thousand tube wells in the province on solar energy. He said the federal government has a share of 55 billion rupees in this project.

Highlighting the measures to stabilize the economy, the Prime Minister said inflation is at the lowest rate of last three years as it has dropped to 11 percent from 38 percent. He said we will continue our efforts to further reduce it.

About the recent damages caused by monsoon rains in different part of the country, the Prime Minister appreciated NDMA's coordination and efforts in this regard.

On this occasion, the Cabinet offered fateha for Shuhada who sacrificed their lives in ongoing war against terrorism and those died in flash floods and rains.