ISLAMABAD: Planning Minister Makhdum Khusro Bakhtiar has said that the incumbent government was taking steps to reinvigorate the agriculture sector, as more than 65 per cent population was dependent on it.
The minister said this during his visit to the World Bank Country Office in Islamabad on Friday where he was received by WB Country Director Pachathumu Illangovan. Planning Secretary Zafar Hasan and senior officials of the ministry also accompanied the minister on the occasion.
The minister emphasised that efforts would be made to boost agro-based economic activities to accelerate poverty reduction.
“We are in a process of developing various marketing platforms to facilitate the farmers so that they can sell their products without any hassle. This will also to spur rural economy for the benefit of small landholders,” he said.
Bakhtiar said that the government was determined to introducing structural reforms to achieve an economic turnaround. “The present government was focused on improving the life of a common man by formulating people-centric policies and implementing various welfare initiatives,” he added.
He stated that the government was also emphasising on quality human resource development so that the youth population could contribute effectively towards the country’s economy.
Noting that Pakistan was ranked high in terms of population growth in the region, the minister directed concerned officials of the ministry to prepare a strategy on population planning, increased gender participation and empowerment of women both economically and socially.
