Reaching out to the poor govt’s top priority: Shaikh

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US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson called on Federal Minister for Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh on Wednesday to discuss issues of mutual concern.
The finance minister informed the US Ambassador that welfare of poor segments of the society remained the top priority of the democratic government and that efforts had been made to provide necessary funding for uplift of the masses. He said despite financial constraints, adequate funds were being provided for public welfare projects. The minister informed the Olson that the government had reached to the poorest of the poor to provide them relief under a number of initiatives including Benazir Income Support Program which was being successfully carried out to reach to target communities.
Shaikh further said despite energy scarcity and a far from ideal security situation in the country, the economic indicators showed positive trends which reflected the resilience of the country’s economy. He said due to successful economic policies of the government, Pakistan was witnessing lowest inflation rate in the region and Karachi Stock Exchange had emerged as the best performing exchange in the world.
The finance minister thanked Olson for his efforts in the release of Coalition Support Fund.
The US Ambassador said economic stability of Pakistan was an encouraging sign. He said the United States was assisting Pakistan in many public welfare projects and will continue to do the same in future to further cement the relations between the two nations.
The Ambassador said the US valued its relations with Pakistan and would continue to move forward in a number of mutually beneficial areas.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing economic relations to their full potential.

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