The Pakistan Industrial and Traders’ Associations Front (PIAF) Saturday termed Punjab budget as a progressive, pro-farmer and growth-oriented document which will give a fillip to its economy and ensure inclusive development of all sectors.
Talking to media here, PIAF Chairman Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, Senior Vice Chairman Tanveer Ahmed Sufi and Vice-Chairman Khawaja Shahzeb Akram welcomed the 39.39 per cent increase for the development of industries, commerce and mineral sectors proposed by the Punjab government in the budget for the next financial year as compared to the ongoing fiscal year ending June 30.
The PIAF chairman said that industry, commerce and mineral sectors were the main pillars of the Punjab growth strategy that envisaged promotion of industry, commerce and investment for technological upgradation as well as employment generation in industrial and investment sector.
Hailing the budget as realistic, visionary and totally in tune with the interests of all sections of society, he also lauded the Punjab chief minister for adopting fiscal measures that had led to an estimated five per cent growth of the GDP for the fiscal year 2016-17.
Irfan Sheikh said that Shehbaz Sharif deserved admiration for allocating financial resources for various development and welfare schemes dedicated to the overall development of the province. He added that billions of rupees had been allocated for agriculture, education and health, while record funds had also been provided for the uplift of social sectors. He said that an era of progress and prosperity would usher in through the implementation of development programmes.
PIAF’s Senior Vice Chairman Tanveer Sufi and Vice Chairman Khawaja Shahzeb Akram said that the Punjab government honoured its pledge of presenting a tax-free budget. “Government’s decision to offer 700,000 jobs would surely help reduce unemployment,” they added.
Shahzeb Akram said that earmarking record development budget would bring immense prosperity in the province. The masses would avail basic facilities at their doorsteps, he said. He said that the Punjab government had shown good governance as one of its top priorities by increasing its budget up to 63 per cent as compared to the ongoing FY.
On the completion of two-years of Operation Zarb-e-Azb, office-bearers of the PIAF saluted the brave soldiers who set glorious examples of courage and valour. They said that the brave armed forces of Pakistan had broken the back of terrorists through Operation Zarb-e-Azb and peace had been restored in Pakistan. They said that there was no room for terrorists and their facilitators in the country and the credit for the success of the operation went to Pakistan Army.