CPEC is essence of unbiased research of ground realities by economists, high-level meeting told

Lahore: A high-level meeting has been told that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was the essence of the unbiased research of ground realities by economists.

Chairman Planning and Development Abdullah Khan Sambal briefed delegations of National Air War College and PMS officers from Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa about the economic situation in Punjab.

He informed the delegations that development budget of the current financial year was the largest development budget given by any province in the history of Pakistan, which was based on three major development documents which included the Sustainable Development Goals, the Special Growth Strategy for the next 15 years and the guiding principles developed for the success of the CPEC, which were the essence of the unbiased research of ground realities by economists.

He mentioned that 35 percent of the development budget had been allocated for South Punjab, which was responsible for the agricultural development of the province and its effective use was also being ensured.

A senior official of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa informed the delegations about the achievements of Anti-Terrorism Force for the elimination of terrorism in the province and the promotion of foreign investment, especially the success of CPEC.

Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Finance Minister Sardar Mohsin Khan Leghari said that effective measures were being taken to ensure economic stability so as to improve the life of common man.

Mohsin Leghari believed that increase in the prices of imported goods at the global level and the gap between supply and demand were the major reasons for high inflation.

The Punjab government was taking concrete steps to control inflation and legal action was being taken against hoarders and profiteers under regular legal framework for supply of essential commodities at reasonable rates, he maintained.

The Provincial Finance Minister said that special subsidy was being provided on purchase of wheat to supply flour at reasonable prices. Automated systems were being used to improve revenue systems to increase resources and ensure ease of doing business.

“Digitization is being promoted in the economy for efficient use of resources. E-governance is being promoted in the province to bridge the demand and supply gap, besides adopting modern methods of cultivation of profitable crops and increase in production,” he added.

The Provincial Minister stressed that reducing food prices by providing subsidies at the policy-making level was not a popular decision, but the government was playing every possible role to provide relief to the people.

The delegations included 18 faculty members of National Air War College, Captains, Wing Commands, Squadron Leaders and their equivalent ranks. Apart from 74 Pakistani officers, 25 allied officers from friendly countries, PMS officers of 91st Service Course from Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were also part of the delegations.

During the meeting, the study delegations were given a detailed briefing on the development activities in the province, the public law and order situation and the mechanisms for controlling the prices of essential commodities.

At the end, Air Marshal Hussain Ahmed Siddiqui thanked the host members for the detailed briefing on important topics and satisfactory answers to the questions on behalf of the Punjab government for promoting the development planning of the Punjab government and dealing with the challenges faced by the institution. He assured to play his role effectively.