ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan has made it clear that stern action will be taken against all those elements that can create hurdles in the way of exports and growth of the agriculture industry.
“All impediments are being removed to facilitate the registration process of SMEs”, Prime Minister Imran Khan said this while addressing the launching ceremony of the National SME Policy 2021 here yesterday.
The PM reiterated his government’s resolve to support Small and Medium Enterprises for a robust economic growth through exports. He said the PTI government is taking every possible step to facilitate the youth in establishing businesses including startups.
Underlining the importance of SMEs in the country’s development, he urged the private sector to facilitate the government’s initiative of providing more facilities to new businesses.
Imran Khan said despite COVID-19 challenges, our government received record remittances, tax collection and export revenue.
PM calls UAE Crown Prince to condemn Houthis’ attack
Earlier, Minister for Industries and Production Khusro Bakhtiar said to facilitate new businesses we have fixed around 19,000 plots for lease on easy instalments.
He said an amount of thirty billion rupees will be fixed for revamping SMEDA to facilitate the SME sector.
earlier while chairing a meeting of young entrepreneurs/startups.
Prime Minister Imran Khan said the government is focused on creating startup-friendly ecosystem to unleash huge potential of e-commerce in the country.
“The future of business in the world is technology-driven e-commerce platforms. Cognizant of its importance, we are working to clear all kinds of impediments hindering its growth”, the prime minister added.
He directed the authorities concerned to take effective measures to address concerns of startups relating to capital gains tax, digital signatures, intellectual property rights and attracting foreign direct investment.
Earlier, the prime minister was briefed that e-commerce is growing at an unprecedented speed. Valued at $1.5 billion, Pakistani startups raised an investment of $375 million during 2021. Major startups were in the fields of E-Commerce, Fintech, Logistics and Health Tech.
The meeting was attended by Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razzak Dawood, SAPM on Political Communication Dr Shehbaz Gill, Chairman BOI Azfar Ahsan, Chairman FBR Dr Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed, Chairman STZA Amir Hashmi and other senior officers concerned.
Prime Minister Imran Khan strongly condemned the heinous terrorist attack by Houthi militia on civil facilities in Abu Dhabi on January17, 2022.
Prime Minister Imran Khan had a telephone call with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Mohamed Bin Zayed, and offered deepest condolences to the families of all the victims and prayed for speedy recovery of the injured. The prime minister expressed solidarity with the leadership, government and people of the United Arab Emirates. He underlined that such attacks cannot be justified and stressed on immediate cessation of these attacks, which continue to pose grave threat to regional peace and security.
The crown prince thanked the premier for strong expression of support, and also offered condolences on the sad demise of a Pakistani national who died in the tragic incident.
Prime Minister Imran Khan in principle approved the proposed reforms in the criminal justice system, and said that this is the first time in the 74 years’ history of Pakistan that such a comprehensive reform package has been made for the provision of speedy justice to all citizens, and to end long delays in delivering justice by the courts.
Prime Minister Imran Khan said his government is bringing a comprehensive reform package in the criminal justice system as per commitment of his party with the masses.
The prime minister was briefed about the reforms package by his legal team during a meeting to review the criminal justice system at the PM office on Wednesday.
The reforms package is expected to be presented in the federal cabinet next month after which it would be introduced in the parliament for formal legislation.
“The difference between the common man and the elite is increasing as far as rule of law is concerned due to delay in reforms in the criminal justice system,” Prime Minister Imran Khan remarked.
The legal team briefed the prime minister that a draft bill has been prepared after consultations with all stakeholders and world best practices were also followed.
The proposed reforms include amendments in the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and also inclusion of more crimes and their punishments in both laws.
More amendments are being introduced for the protection of women including stalking of women that would be now considered as an offence. Under the reforms, those criminals who due to their influence, were set free by the courts previously would be arrested and punished as per law.
Local judiciary would be given proper protection under the reforms against threats by the criminals as well so that verdicts could be given without fear and on merit.