MULTAN: Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Thursday that the government had formed an experienced team of economic experts which would surely restore the trust of investors and bring about an overall improvement in the national economy.
Talking to the media here, Qureshi said the country’s economic condition was a challenge for the government and the PTI accepted it with a commitment to bring about an improvement in it.
He said that restoration of investors trust was necessary to give a much-needed boost to the economy, adding that the team formed by the government had a capacity to restore investors’ confidence.
He said that Shabbar Zaidi was a tax expert and never remained a part of any government in the past. He added that Prime Minister Imran Khan had asked him (Shabbar Zaidi) for his services to increase tax collection and revenue generation.
He said that the government had positive expectations from Abdul Hafeez Sheikh and Salman Shah as they both were experts in their fields.
To a question, Qureshi said that fluctuation in dollar prices was being monitored by the State Bank of Pakistan and there was no interference of the finance ministry in it.
He said that a trade war between America and China was not only affecting the country’s market but it was also influencing markets of other countries.
To another question, he said that Jahangir Khan Tareen was in full support of the establishment of South Punjab, adding that some elements were spreading disinformation to create confusion.
He said that Federal Minister Tariq Bashir Cheema had his own point of view on the issue, however, efforts would be made to convince him too.
Qureshi said that establishment of South Punjab as a separate province was a part of the PTI’s manifesto.
The foreign minister said that if the PML-N and the PPP thought that protest would be in the country’s favour at this time then they were welcome. However, he added, these parties criticised the PTI’s protest and alleged that it would derail democracy and also affected the country’s economy in the past.
To a question about conflict between America and Iran, FM Qureshi said that Pakistan was in support of sustainable peace in the region, adding that Pakistan was also expecting dialogues with the new government of India to resolve all issues.
He said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was an independent institution and it was working under the law.
He questioned that why the parties, which were now criticizing the NAB, did not change the law when they were in power.
He said that the government announced Local Government Act 2019 after a procedure, adding that local body elections would be held in three steps, including Panchayat councils, tehsil councils and urban councils.
Answering a question, FM Qureshi said that situation had improved in Balochistan, however, some elements were attempting to harm peace but these elements would be defeated.
