• Speaker of Afghan NA Wolesi Jirga calls on PM
• Imran told record sale of steel, cement, automobiles seen last month

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said revival of industries would not only stimulate economic activity but also create job opportunities for youths and lead to wealth creation.

He was speaking to Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and prominent businessman Aqeel Karim Dhedhi at the Prime Minister House.

The prime minister was informed that a record sale of steel, cement, automobiles and motorcycles was witnessed in the country last month which showed that the economy was improving.

“Revival of industrial sector and facilitation of small and medium enterprises are among government’s priorities,” the Prime Minister Office quoted Mr Khan as saying.

According to a press release, Mr Dhedi thanked the prime minister for taking keen interest in promoting the industrial sector and said the government’s pro-business efforts and policies had revived the business community’s confidence. “It has also helped in resumption of economic activity in Sindh, particularly Karachi, after losses caused by heavy rains,” he added.

Mr Dhedhi said the government’s support to the business community and SMEs sector would have a positive impact on the national economy.

Later, talking to Dawn, Mr Dhedhi said in September the consumption of steel was 62 per cent against 42pc registered in the previous months. “Similarly, 200,000 tonnes of cement was utilised which is again a record,” he added.

He said the prime minister was informed that due to the “sagacious” policies of the government, an upward trend was also seen in agriculture, textile, urea and food sectors.

“Export of rice and textile items like towels, socks and bed-sheets has increased in recent days,” he added.

Mr Dhedhi said the prime minister was told that if crops like wheat, rice and other grains were sold at a high price, the ultimate benefit would go to the farmers. On the other hand, price of a 50kg sack of urea has declined from Rs2,100 to Rs1,600, which had again benefited the farmers.

The meeting also focused on how to facilitate a small shopkeeper, and for this purpose a policy was being devised which would be discussed with the prime minister in another meeting on Monday.

Afghan speaker meets PM

Speaker of Afghanistan National Assembly Wolesi Jirga Mir Rahman Rahmani called on Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday and discussed with him bilateral ties, Afghan peace and matters of mutual interest.

National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser was also present at the meeting.

Mir Rahmani arrived earlier in the day on a six-day visit of the country along with a 17-member parliamentary delegation on the invitation of Speaker Qaiser.

UN’s anniversary

On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, Prime Minister Khan urged the world body to resolve the issue of freedom of Kashmiris from Indian occupation.

“The 75th United Nations Day is also a sombre reminder that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains unresolved, despite being on the UN’s agenda for over seven decades as people of Jammu and Kashmir are still awaiting the fulfillment of commitment made to them by the United Nations to exercise their right to self-determination,” he said in his message.

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2020