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ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday emphasised that timelines specified for the completion of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects should be adhered to.
The government of Pakistan is fully committed to the provisions of CPEC agreements, the premier said while presiding over a high level meeting held here to review the progress on CPEC projects.
The Prime Minister stated that China has been a time-tested friend of Pakistan and that the government accords high priority to the implementation and operationalisation of CPEC projects. He highlighted that the continuity of policies was essential for long-term projects in order to achieve maximum benefits for the country.
Earlier, Special Assistant to PM on CPEC Affairs Khalid Mansoor briefed the meeting about the updated status of CPEC projects. The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Ali Haider Zaidi, Asad Umar, Advisor on Finance Shaukat Fayaz Tarin, Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razaq Dawood and senior officers.
Also, Prime Minister Imran Khan Wednesday ordered authorities to take emergency measures to control the smuggling of commodities including wheat, urea, sugar, flour, petrol and check money-laundering.
PM lauds FBR on 35pc increase in November revenues
While chairing a high-level meeting to review anti-smuggling and anti-money-laundering measures, he said heavy damage was inflicted on the economy as a result of smuggling of food commodities due to price differential. He also said that smuggling created an artificial shortage of commodities and ultimately resulted in price hike.
The prime minister directed that all stakeholders should undertake emergency measures and bring-out-of-the-box solutions to control smuggling of essential commodities. He emphasised that the objective was to provide relief to the common man against the price hike.
The meeting was informed that Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) had undertaken extensive investigations against illegal money laundering and holding of US dollars. It was apprised that security was being beefed up at border crossings to check goods and to ensure that each load was recorded for tracking purposes.
The meeting was briefed that significant success has been achieved to control illegal petrol smuggling and operations against hoarders.
The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Khusro Bakhtyar, Syed Fakhar Imam, Asad Umar, Advisor Finance Shaukat Fayaz Tarin, Advisor Commerce Abdul Razaq Dawood, SAPM Dr Shahbaz Gill, Governor State Bank, Chairman FBR, senior civil and military officers.
35pc increase in November revenues
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday appreciated the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on achieving an increase of 35 percent in revenues of November 2021 compared with the same month previous year.
“Congratulations to the FBR team for achieving a 35% increase in revenues in November over last year,” he said in a tweet.
The prime minister also mentioned the 37 percent increase in the five months over last year.
The FBR on Tuesday said it had registered a “historic growth” in revenue collection of 36.5 percent from July-November of the fiscal year 2021-22.
“It has collected net revenues of Rs 2,314 billion during the first five months of the current FY against set target of Rs 2,016 billion, exceeding by Rs.298 billion,” an official tweet of FBR said.
Meanwhile, Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani and Chief Minister Balochistan Abdul Quddus Bizenjo called on Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad on Wednesday.
During the meeting, views were exchanged on development issues in the province including provision of electricity to Gwadar and timely completion of development projects. They also discussed matters pertaining to uninterrupted gas supply to the province in winter season and construction of Quetta-Karachi highway.