Govt urged to solve problems

LAHORE
PAT has warned that the visit of International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation before the presentation of the federal budget is not a good omen.
Speaking at a meeting on the upcoming budget on Monday, PAT Secretary general Khurram Nawaz Gandapur said instead of towing the IMF line, the government should concentrate on solving the issues faced by the poor citizen. He said the government must desist from imposing new taxes worth Rs 500 billion and raising the charges of gas and electricity. He said instead of taking new loans, the government must put a plug on the rising trend of corruption.
The meeting demanded a rise in the salaries and 50 per cent increase in pensions. The meeting was of the view that water related projects to produce power be adopted and priority be given to agri based projects to increase the output of agricultural products. It said subsidy be given to farmers on seeds, urea and electricity. The participants said special allocation be made to speed up the implementation on the National Action Plan.
The meeting was addressed by Sheikh Zahid Fayyaz, Mushtaq Nonari, Jawad Hamid, Ahmed Nawaz, Farrukh Naz, Mazhar Mehmood Alvi and all the presidents of different wings of PAT.