Jamali urges legislators to alleviate poverty

* Says structural reform agenda must continue

ISLAMABAD: Elected representatives should devise development schemes that are aimed at creating more jobs and to alleviate poverty for the welfare of the people, said Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali talking to Senator Gulzar Ahmad Khan who called on him at the Prime Minister’s House on Tuesday.

“The PML government and its allies intend to pursue its agenda of public welfare with renewed attention and vigour,” Mr Jamali said, adding that this could only be achieved through consistent planning and implementation.

“I believe in economic stabilisation,” Mr Jamali said, adding that it should improve infrastructure and bring about a visible change in the health and education of the masses.

Senator Gulzar informed Mr Jamali about the progress of development schemes that are been carried out in Dera Ismail Khan. Later, talking to Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, Mr Jamali said the structural reform being undertaken by the government must continue so that its benefits are reflected in our economic growth.

“We believe in consistency of policies,” Mr Jamali said, adding that the economic policies shall be pro-poor and growth oriented.

He directed the economic managers to keep the welfare of people at the top of all macro-economic policies.

Mr Aziz briefed Mr Jamali on the ongoing discussions on the forthcoming annual budget and said that all the ministries, departments, chambers of commerce and industry, and trade associations are being consulted to get the relevant information. “The next budget will focus on investment and broad based growth so that more job opportunities are created,” Mr Aziz said, adding that economic indicators show that Pakistan will surpass the growth target of 5.3 percent. The per-capita income during the current financial year will rise to US$600 as compared to last year’s figure of US$480, he said. —NNI

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