ISLAMABAD, May 5: Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz on Sunday received several delegations who had come to congratulate him on the President Musharraf’s success in the April 30 referendum.

The first delegation comprised Traders Action Committee, representatives of CDA, PTCL, OGDCL, ADBP, PCP, and All Pakistan Hawkers Associations led by Dr Muhammad Amjad, Muhammad Jamil Baloch, and Tikka Khan met the minister.

The second delegation which met the finance minister included president of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Ifthikar Ali Malik and Sohail Altaf.

The third delegation was led by patron-in-chief Islamabad Patriotic Alliance (IPA) Shahid Rashid Butt, and president Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Munawar Mughul.

The minister said that the government has introduced reforms for restructuring of institutions including banking and revenue sectors.

He added that government has already introduces reforms in the CBR; its five members have been appointed from the private sector.

He said that government wanted to broaden tax net through reforms and facilitating the tax payers in order to collect more revenue for the country.

He said that as a result of prudent economic policies and reforms the country has paid $4.7 billion foreign debt, inflation has come down while foreign exchange reserves have risen to over $5 billion.

He said a number of big projects like Gawadar Seaport, Ghazi Brotha and roads and hydel projects have also been launched.

He said that government would announce reduction in duties and no new tax will be levied in the forthcoming budget.

He added that budget will be growth-driven and investment-friendly. —APP