ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan on Thursday sought support from the opposition for evolving the Charter of Economy (CoE) like the Charter of Democracy (CoD) and requested the Chairman Senate to constitute a committee in this regard.
Replying to various supplementary questions during Question Hour, the minister said the economy was a serious issue of the country and it should not be politicised.
“We should join hands on the issue of economy as around Rs600 billion government resources annually drain out in state owned enterprises like PIA, Pakistan Steel Mills etc which can be utilise in other development projects,” he said.
He said the government has succeeded to eradicate menace of terrorism in the country and now efforts were being made to strengthen the economy. There was no crisis in the country and the government has proper schedule for payment of $3.3 billion during the current year.
Afzal Khan said the principal amount outstanding of external public debt as of 30th June, 2016 and 30th June, 2017 was $57,721 million and $62,488 million respectively. No amount of interest was outstanding as of 30th June, 2016 and 30th June, 2017 as regular debt servicing has been made during the said period, he said.
The minister said the cumulative debt servicing made during FY 2016-17 was $6,347,669 million.
