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ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan announced a 40 percent targeted subsidy for the poor on purchase of essential food items, saying the special step would provide relief to the low-income groups against inflation.
Addressing the launching ceremony of Kamyab Pakistan program– a Rs1400 billion poverty alleviation initiative, here on Monday, the prime minister said the under-privileged segment would get targeted subsidies on wheat, flour, sugar and ghee (cooking oil).
The prime minister said 75 percent of palm oil in the country was being imported and thus the common man was facing the impact of “imported inflation.”
At present, he said, the government was trying its best to reduce the burden of inflation on people. He said compared with the global inflation of 100 percent, the prices in Pakistan witnessed a 22 percent upsurge only. He said the global prices of wheat and sugar grew 37 and 40 percent compared with 12 and 21 percent in Pakistan, respectively.
Imran Khan said the price of petrol in Pakistan was at its lowest among all countries, except the oil-producing states and the neighbouring India was selling the petrol at the comparative double rates. He said the government cut the levy and sales tax on petrol and as a result, bore the loss of Rs 400 billion in order to provide relief to consumers.
Govt trying its best to reduce burden of inflation on people: PM
The prime minister said the Kamyab Pakistan program was aimed at bringing improvement to the lives of common man. He lauded Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin for ensuring micro-finance facility for low-income groups, saying that it reflected the government’s firm intention to uplift the underprivileged.
Imran Khan regretted that the country’s system for the past 72 years catered to only a handful of the elite and pointed out that ‘an island of rich’ was benefiting from the financial, education and justice systems. He said the government was committed to follow the principles of the history’s first Islamic State of Madinah, which ensured welfare and justice for its citizens.
Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin said the government was intending to put in place an inclusive sustainable growth set up to benefit all segments. He said the unique formula of loan disbursement among 3.7 million households through micro-finance banks and non-government organizations would facilitate the people in their small businesses.
The Kamyab Pakistan program, he said, would be transitioned to expand while simultaneously reducing the Ehsaas project, with an objective to make them self-sufficient.
Tarin said the ‘bottom-up approach’ would benefit the low-income groups in particular.
PM’s Special Assistant Usman Dar and Chairman Naya Pakistan Housing Authority Lt Gen (r) Anwar Haider Ali spoke about the salient features about the programs with respect to their domains.
The program has five components. The farmers will get interest-free loans under the Kamyab Kisan program. The financing for businesses will be made up to Rs500,000 under Kamyab Karobar program.
The financing on easy installments will be extended for construction of houses under Sasta Ghar Scheme, besides linking of successful skilled based scholarship schemes and Sehat Insaf Card with the Kamyab Pakistan Program.
Govt taking bold steps to fully establish rule of law in country: PM
Prime Minister Imran Khan says the government is taking bold steps to fully establish rule of law and justice in the country.
He was talking to a delegation of British Members of Parliament in Islamabad on Monday.
Imran Khan said that attention is being paid for the uplift of marginalized segments of the society to ensure development at all level.
The delegation includes Lord Wajid Khan, Naz Shah and Muhammad Yaseen.
The delegation also paid tribute to the Prime Minister for taking clear and bold position on Islamophobia and steps for social protection.