ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday said that Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves will touch $15 billion by the end of this month.

Addressing the office bearers of all Pakistan newspapers society in Islamabad, the federal minister called upon all political parties to join hands to put the country back on track.

“13.7 per cent increase has been registered in remittances, 16.4 per cent increase in tax collection and foreign exchange reserves have reached 14 billion dollars as a result of policies adopted by the government,” Dar said.

The finance minister said the Constitution allows the government to use supplementary grants during emergency situations such as floods and other natural calamities.

He said that Pakistan has floated sukuk bonds after 7 years and received a great response.

“The government has issued the sukuk bonds on the demand of Islamic Banks and got $2.3 billion offers in this regard,” the minister added.

The finance minister said that the release of sukuk bonds and sale of OGDCL shares were delayed due to sit-ins by the PTI and the PAT.

Dar stated that the government is focusing on education and health sectors while elimination of terrorism and ensuring merit and transparency in all departments is also its top priority.

The minister also said that the government would pay arrears of newspaper owners soon after it would receive the summary from the information ministry.