ISLAMABAD, June 11: Speakers at a seminar said though the per capita income has increased but poverty and unemployment are big challenges for the government. They were speaking at a post-budget seminar here on Monday, which was organised by the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan (ICMAP).

State Minister for Information Tariq Azeem said that national budget would go a long way in strengthening the economy, creating employment opportunities, brining prosperity for the poor and improving the quality of life.

He specially mentioned some of the salient features of Budget 2007-08.

Mr Azeem said the present socio-economic problems demand extra hard work from all of us. Wherever we are and at whatever level we are working we must realize the need of the hour.

We must rise to occasion and take up our responsibilities to boost the country’s economy by paying our share to taxes,” he added.

He said the economy has shown tremendous success in the recent years. Due to the positive economic indicators, Pakistan is now rated among the leading emerging economies.

The Chairman, Central Board of Revenue (CBR) Muhammad Abdullah Yusuf, said country’s per capita income has more than doubled and has become the highest among the South Asian countries.

He said foreign debt and its servicing cost had significantly reduced. Foreign exchange reserves have touched the highest ever level.

It is due to the strength of the economy that Pakistan has been very successful in raising low cost debt from the international markets.

After China and India Pakistan is third grown country in the region.

Other speakers who spoke on the occasion were Ayub Khan Tareen, Additional Secretary Finance, Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Dr Khawaja Amjad Saeed, FCMA former President ICMAP, Mutee-ur-Rehman Mirza, Vice President ICMAP, Mirza Munawar Hussain, Member National Council ICMAP and Muhammad Rafi, FCMA Chairman CPD.