PM Imran Khan for equitable GDP growth
By Muhammad JuniadPublished On 04 Jan 2023
- PM Imran Khan meets Finance Minister Shaukat Tareen and EAC member Dr. Rashid Amjad.
- PM Imran says the higher growth trajectory was required for denting poverty and unemployment.
- The Economic Advisory Council will hold its maiden session this week probably on Thursday.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday held a meeting with the newly-appointed Finance Minister Shaukat Tareen and emphasized the need for achieving inclusive and equitable GDP growth for creating jobs and reducing poverty.
Tareen, who took the charge of the office a day ago, called on the prime minister along with the Economic Advisory Council (EAC) member Dr. Rashid Amjad.
During the meeting, PM Imran said the higher growth trajectory was required for denting poverty and unemployment.
It was also decided that the EAC will hold its maiden session this week probably on Thursday.
Talking to The News, Dr. Rashid Amjad said the premier actually wanted to achieve equitable and inclusive growth and reduction in inflationary pressures.
He said the prime minister also wanted to focus on the agriculture sector for achieving productivity and efficiency.
“Malnutrition can be overcome by achieving productivity in the agriculture sector.”
PM reposes confidence in Tareen
Earlier on Sunday, PM Imran had expressed “full confidence” in Shaukat Tareen’s capabilities and said that he has known him for the last 35 years.
Speaking during the meeting, Shaukat Tareen said that based on his 49 years of experience in the economic sector, he knows what measures should be taken to steer the economy in the right direction.
"The country's GDP growth should be increased by 6 to 7%," Shaukat Tareen had stated.
Answering a question regarding the possible removal of the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Shaukat Tareen had said that the incumbent, Raza Baqir, has done a "great job in bringing reforms to the bank."
"[Considering his performance] there is no chance of removing Baqir from his office," Tareen clarified.
Sixth cabinet reshuffle
It should be recalled that last week, PM Imran Khan had for the sixth time reshuffled the federal cabinet and appointed Shaukat Tareen as the country's new finance minister.
Tareen had replaced federal minister Hammad Azhar, who was appointed as the country's finance minister in March when the premier replaced Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh.
Consequently, Hammad Azhar was appointed as the minister for energy, replacing Omar Ayub.
