Punjab Finance Minister Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakhat has said that stability in democracy and monetary planning will revive the national economy while tax reforms will enhance revenue collection in the country. He expressed these views during a meeting with International Monetary Fund (IMF) representative Teresa Daban Sanches held on Friday.
The Minister further said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is focused to improve the performance of Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) and promote a policy that is based on partnership and not loans. "The government will facilitate businesses and reduce their dependence on the federal government. The Punjab government wants to move forward with its partners on equal basis," he added.
He informed the IMF representative that 60 percent of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is contributed by Punjab. He pointed out that the policies of the incumbent government are different from the previous government. "We have taken unpopular decisions in first two months of our government". He observed that revival of the economy through social sector reforms was the agenda of the current government.
The IMF representative suggested that like Punjab, other province should also contribute to bring down the fiscal deficit. She called for improving investment protection policies. She assured full support of the IMF for fiscal management.