ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Friday that the priority of his government was to stabilise the economy with a focus on job creation for the youth so that the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic could be countered effectively.
Chairing a high-level meeting to review the proposals for the federal budget 2020-21, the PM said every section of the society, as well as all sectors of the economy, were being affected by Covid-19, adding that the pandemic has adversely impacted the government’s efforts towards development.
He said keeping in view the stark realities in the wake of Covis-19, the first priority of the government was to promote those sectors which could create job opportunities for the youth.
PM Imran added that reduction in non-development expenditure, especially a cut in unnecessary government expenditure, was also his government’s topmost agenda from day one.
Adviser to PM on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh on the occasion briefed the PM on the strategies to implement the government’s priorities in next year’s budget, keeping in view corona-related realities.
Considering the issue of subsidies in various sectors and the provision of financial assistance by the government, the premier said the subsidy given by the government was in fact the tax money of the people, adding that it was important the money was utilised effectively so that desired goals could be achieved and expenditure on the most deserving could be ensured.
He called for expediting the pace of institutional reforms in order to minimise the burden on the people and to provide them with much-needed relief.
