Tariff Rationalisation
ISLAMABAD: On Friday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the relevant authorities to take immediate steps towards the tariff rationalisation of export sector industries, ensuring that electricity and gas are supplied to these industries at affordable rates.
This directive came during a meeting aimed at discussing facilities for the industrial sector. The prime minister highlighted the critical role of industrial development and the growth of exports.
“The government will ensure the supply of electricity and gas to industries at affordable rates,” stated the prime minister, according to a press release.
He emphasized that the government’s priority is to provide necessary facilities to all industries, especially those involved in the export sector.
PM Shehbaz also instructed officials to consult with industry representatives when implementing power and gas tariff rationalisation measures.
In a related development, a delegation from the Chinese firm MCC Tongsin Resources, led by Chairman Wang Jaichen, met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The prime minister invited the firm to invest in Pakistan’s mining sector and the manufacturing of export goods, assuring them of full support from the government for activities ranging from mineral exploration and processing to the export of goods.
He instructed federal ministers and officers to maintain ongoing consultations with the Chinese firm, involving the Balochistan chief minister, provincial departments, and other stakeholders.
The Chinese delegation expressed confidence in the prime minister’s leadership and showed interest in expanding their investment in Pakistan’s mining and mineral sectors. They briefed PM Shehbaz about their plans to construct a mineral park in Pakistan and other future investment initiatives.
Additionally, the prime minister met with a delegation of beverage companies, where he lauded his government’s business-friendly policies, which are yielding positive results.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting foreign investors and the business community to create employment opportunities, boost exports, and contribute to economic development.
The delegation praised the government’s pro-business stance and informed the prime minister that 25 plants of international beverage firms are operating in Pakistan, employing around 130,000 workers.
They also highlighted their contributions to the national exchequer through significant tax payments and discussed their extensive recycling system.
PM Shehbaz encouraged the beverage companies to continue their productive roles under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and directed officials to address their proposals and issues promptly.
In another significant meeting on Friday, the prime minister addressed the issue of child stunting, calling for a nationwide program in coordination with provincial governments to combat this challenge.
He urged the creation of a comprehensive plan to protect children from fatal diseases, emphasizing that the federal government, in collaboration with provincial governments, will implement priority measures to enhance child growth, aiming for a brighter future for the country.
PM Shehbaz also stressed the importance of a nationwide awareness campaign to tackle child stunting and expressed gratitude to international experts participating in the meeting, which included a presentation of statistics on children’s growth by the World Bank.
