Govt to make EAC bodies’ suggestions part of upcoming budget

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to incorporate suggestions tabled by working groups of Economic Advisory Council (EAC) as part of upcoming budget for achieving higher growth on sustained basis.

A follow up session of the EAC meeting, presided over by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin, was held at the Finance Division on Saturday. The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Industries and Production Khusro Bakhtiar, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Division Omar Ayub Khan, Adviser to PM on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Adviser to PM on Institutional Reforms & Austerity Dr Ishrat Hussain, SAPM on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar, SAPM on Power Tabish Gauhar, SAPM on Finance and Revenue Dr Waqar Masood, Governor State Bank of Pakistan Dr Reza Baqir many others from the private members category.

The first session of the second meeting of EAC was held on 1st June 2021. During the EAC’s second session four sub-groups gave their detailed presentation. The four sub-groups which presented their suggestions during second session of the second meeting of EAC included groups on Food Security, Agriculture, China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Social Protection and Information Technology & Digitalisation.

Federal Minister for National Food Security Syed Fakhar Imam, SAPM on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation Dr. Sania Nishtar and Chairman CPEC General (R) Asim Saleem Baja gave presentations on behalf of their respective groups. The presentations included in-depth analysis of the relevant sectors, current functioning and ways forward for future. All the participants gave their inputs over the presentations.

The first sub-group presentation on Agriculture was made by the Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Syed Fakhar Imam. Federal Minister for Industries and Production, Khusro Bakhtiar, emphasised the need to introduce the ‘Agricultural Transformation Plan’ which has been prepared by the present government after extensive discussion with the relevant stakeholders and after making detailed analysis of available data. The finance minister assured that the proposed plan will be thoroughly considered and firmed up recommendations will be made a part of the upcoming budget.