Steps being taken to reduce burden of electricity, gas prices: Hammad

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Minister for Economic Affairs Hammad Azhar has said that the steps are being taken to reduce burden of prices of electricity and gas on the common people. Addressing a function in Lahore, the minister said the government has taken major and difficult decisions for economic stability in Pakistan. He mentioned that 2019 was the year of economic stability, and 2020 will be the year of progress and prosperity of the country. Hammad Azhar also said that the current account deficit has been decreased and this year is for deliverance from the government side. He assured that the steps are also being taken to reduce burden of prices of electricity and gas on the common man. The economic minister further said that investment in the country has increased by seventy-eight percent because of the prudent policies of the government. “The state entities in the country need restructuring for their better performance,” he added. Earlier, Hammad Azhar said that Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar have provided $5.5 billion financial package to Pakistan. Responding to a question during the Questions Hour in the National Assembly (NA), Hammad Azhar said that Saudi Arabia have provided three billion dollars, UAE two billion dollars while Qatar provided 500 million dollars. He also said that the PTI government retired public debt of worth 9.1 billion dollars. To another question, the minister said that the government has introduced Direct Credit System under which pension is directly deposited to pensioners’ account. Replying to a question, Parliamentary Secretary for Commerce Aliya Hamza Malik said total exports of fish products for last fiscal years were recorded 438.7 million dollars. Earlier on October 22, Saudi Arabia had extended its support for Pakistan at every level, it could. This had been stated by Saudi ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, in his meeting with Interior Minister Ijaz Ahmed Shah, in the federal capital.