Ishaq Dar reiterates the commitment of govt to complete the IMF program

ISLAMABAD, April 06 (SABAH): Donald Blome, Ambassador of the United States of America to Pakistan called on Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Thursday.
Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar welcomed Donald Blome and shared deep rooted historic and durable bilateral relations with the United States on economic and trade fronts. The Finance Minister briefed the envoy about the economic outlook of the country and the challenges being faced by the country. He further shared the pragmatic policy decisions being taken by the government in order to arrest the economic decline and to steer the economy towards a positive trajectory leading to economic stability and growth.

The Finance Minister also informed the envoy on the progress in talks held with the IMF and reiterated the commitment of the government to complete the program.

Donald Blome expressed confidence on the policies and programmes of the government being taken for economic sustainability of the country and socio-economic uplift of the masses. He extended his support to further promote bilateral economic, investment and trade relations between both the countries. The two sides also exchanged views on matters of common interest and showed their interest in enhancing the existing bilateral relations between both countries. They also talked about various economic avenues in which both countries can further strengthen their ties.

Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar thanked the US Ambassador and reiterated the desire of the government to further deepen bilateral trade and investment ties with the USA.

Meanwhile according to the statement issued by the Ministry of Finance, Donald Blome, Ambassador of the United States of America called on Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and way forward for enhancing the existing bilateral investment and trade relations between the two countries.

Meanwhile Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting on matters of Railways and Aviation, at Finance Division on Thursday. Federal Minister for Railways and Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique, SAPM on Revenue Tariq Pasha, Secretary Railway, Secretary Aviation, Secretary Finance, Chairman FBR, and senior officers from Finance, Aviation, and Railways Divisions attended the meeting.

During the meeting, Federal Minister for Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique briefed the Chair on the performance and ongoing projects pertaining to Civil Aviation Authority, PIA, and Pakistan Railways. The meeting discussed various matters of Civil Aviation and Railways sectors related to finances, taxation, outstanding payments, and cash flows. The meeting also deliberated upon possible solutions and measures that can be taken for the resolution of the issues in order to ensure the provision of better services to air and rail passengers. The meeting also discussed the restructuring of PIACL in order to enhance its performance and make it compatible with the international standards.

Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar appreciated the measures and efforts being taken for improvement in both sectors, and promised to support the timely execution of the projects of Civil Aviation, PIA, and Pakistan Railways in every possible way.

Meanwhile Haji Ghulam Ali, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa called on Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Thursday and discussed the fiscal matters of KPK province as well as shared the status of development projects there.