ISLAMABAD: The caretaker Pakistani Finance Minister Shamshad Akhtar has announced a special prize scheme for those overseas Pakistanis who send remittances through proper banking channels.
The minister made this announcement via her live telecast on the official television channel here on Friday evening, adding that the government has set up an amount of Rs 80 billion for the new scheme called “Sohni Dharti Remittances Scheme”, whereas Rs 20 billion has already issued for the scheme.
She added that special prizes would be awarded to those overseas Pakistanis who used to send their remittances through banking channels. She added that the purpose of the scheme was to encourage overseas Pakistanis to send money through legal way.
She also hinted about another scheme to be brought for the exchange companies to encourage them as well.
Earlier in another press conference in the presence of other federal ministers, the Interim Finance Minister Shamshad Akhtar said that after the recent measures taken by the government, Pakistan’s economic situation has displayed some positive signs.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside other federal ministers on Friday, the finance minister said the government was committed to fulfil the mandate given by the IMF (International Monetary Fund) adding that due to recent corrective measures, the value of the local currency has been improved.
Shamshad Akhtar was aggrieved that her government inherited scores of challenges soon after it came into power; however, she hoped the government would soon overcome these challenges.
The minister further said that the government was leaving no stone unturned to manage the country’s economic challenges by controlling expenditures and enhancing the revenue.
She also emphasized bringing improvement in agriculture, which, according to her, would impact the overall economy of the country.
Finance Minister over CPI
Talking about the Consumer Price Index (CPI)she said there was a significant decline in the figures from the month of May figures, from 38 per cent to 27pc, which was an important indicator that the government has managed to have some improvement in overcoming the difficult situation. “We hope we will attain further improvement regarding CPI”, she said.
About the current challenges being faced by the industrial sector, the finance minister said that the government had examined the data, witnessing some improvement in the sector.
It is worth noting here that the local currency’s upward trend against the dollar continues as, on Friday, the local currency witnessed a further improvement of over Rs1 against the greenback.
