ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday directed the finance ministry to ensure revival of lockdown-affected industries, effective utilisation of subsidies and minimising the burden of government expenditures on the common man in the forthcoming budget.

Presiding over a meeting on the budget for 2020-21, the prime minister said that boosting of the industrial sector and provision of maximum relief to traders’ community was the top priority of the government.

During the meeting, PM’s Adviser on Finance Hafeez Shaikh presented a brief sketch of income and expenditures of the government in the current fiscal year.

Mr Shaikh also apprised the prime minister on the government’s priorities in the next financial budget. The budget is likely to be presented on June 12. The adviser also updated Mr Khan on the progress made so far on reforms in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

According to a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr Khan stressed the need for reducing non-development expenditures in the next budget.

The prime minister, the press release said, directed the adviser that the private sector should be given maximum opportunities for participation in development projects of the country and for this purpose he backed launching of some projects on Public-Private partnership basis. Mr Khan directed Mr Shaikh that budget estimates should be finalised in consultation with provincial governments.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2020