Banned TTP has issued press release announcing ceasefire & we welcome this at the government level: Marriyum Aurangzeb


ISLAMABAD, June 03 (SABAH): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb says government is taking concrete steps to mitigate impact of recent petroleum price hike.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Friday, Marriyum Aurnghzeb said government took the decision of fuel price hike with a heavy heart.

She said government will provide two thousand rupees to 14 million poor families, who have their income below forty thousand rupees, to protect them from impacts of price hike. She said families registered in BISP will also be receiving additional two thousand rupees.

She said deserving people can call at 786 to check their eligibility status for relief package. Marriyum Aurangzeb said the decision of price hike of petroleum products was taken beyond of politics. She said government will also announce an austerity drive very soon.

She said common people are under burden of price hike due to imprudent decisions of previous government.

Marriyum Aurangzeb criticized previous PTI government for inking IMF agreement with harsh terms and conditions.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the government has given first relief and it is not last relief, adding that the economy will be improved and inflation will also decreased as vision and strategy and thinking is present. She said that PM Shehbaz Sharif did not form policy while watching TV, adding that today policy is made and relief is given while seeing the masses. She said that the finance ministers of previous government should have some shame, who are giving lecturers today, adding that Imran Khan should not have sacked from the ministries if he had confidence in your performance and eligibility.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said that PM Shehbaz Sharif has talked about austerity today, adding that we will not raise slogans of making university at the Prime Minister House and will not talk about abolishing the walls of the governor house.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said that she is not provided tea and coffee at her office instead of demanding time and again and she has only one official vehicle.

Replying a question, Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the talks between the government of Pakistan and banned TTP was started in October 2021, adding that at the government level these talks are being held and Afghan government is facilitating these talks and in this there is civilian representation of the government and military representation. She said that banned TTP has issued press release announcing ceasefire and we welcome this at the government level. She said that the scope of these whole talks is constitutional and when these talks will be concluded these will be concluded with the approval of the government and both sides will talk with consensus. She said that jirga and consultations are continued and we welcome them, adding that according to the constitution this committee conclude the decision and it will be done with the approval of the government and parliament.

Responding to a question, she said government is taking steps to bring Charter of Economy to draw some red lines for upcoming governments. She said that as a first step of the Charter of Economy, the government will hold a conference of National Business Council, Advisory Council and prominent business circles of the country and chambers of commerce on Tuesday at the Prime Minister House. She said that this is first conference to finalize this charter. She said that the process of including all the political parties in the charter of economy is also being started so that like Imran Khan no one in future could play with the economy of the country for gaining the personal political interests. She said that for the continuity of the economy and economic policy the Charter of Economy is being formed and some redlines will be drawn that instead of the change of the government no one should cross these limitations and redlines.

She said that Imran Khan will never come back again. Marriyum Aurangzeb said that foolproof security has been provided to former prime minister Imran Khan. She said that Imran Khan has given statements in influence of the reception given to PM Shehbaz Sharif by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Marriyum Aurangzeb said that she will tell complete details which happened with the investors, adding that cartels and mafias were sitting and filled their pockets and they did not permitted the investors to come in Pakistan during the tenure of Imran Khan. She said that Imran Khan not brought any project under CPEC from China or brought some other project from China, adding that why Saudi projects were closed and Qatari projects were closed. Marriyum Aurangzeb said that she will inform media today (Saturday) that what was done with the Turkish and Chinese investors during the tenure of the PTI government.  
Replying a question, she said that the consultations are underway regarding the appointment of new NAB Chairman, adding that we will not appoint our own person like NAB-Niazi nexus to victimize others. She said that the government with the consultation of parliament and opposition leader and after completion of whole process will appoint chairman of every institution including NAB.