Good news for public in next budget, says Haroon Akhtar

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar has said that the upcoming federal budget will bring good news for both the public and industrialists, including reductions in petrol prices, electricity tariffs, and interest rates.

Speaking to the media, Akhtar said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s economic approach reflects the vision of Nawaz Sharif. He added that the premier aims to push the economic growth rate to seven per cent  and maintain it for the next 10 years.

The special assistant noted that the prime minister considers exports the “lifeline” of economic growth and is fully focused on improving the country’s economy. He said Shehbaz Sharif has formed separate committees to address different economic issues and personally follows up on the progress.

PM Shehbaz calls for easier agri loans, improved research to raise output

Haroon Akhtar said PM Shehbaz wants to provide security and confidence to investors and turn Pakistan into a regional hub for investment. “Business must run for the country to progress,” he added.

He pointed out that the government did not wait for the budget to provide relief to industries. Electricity tariffs and the benchmark interest rate were reduced even before the budget announcement.

Akhtar also stated that the relief in international petrol prices is being passed on to the public. Despite challenging conditions, the prime minister has chaired meetings of economic committees regularly, he said, adding that the next fiscal budget will be a practical reflection of Shehbaz Sharif’s economic vision.