ISLAMABAD: Newly appointed Adviser to Prime Minister for Finance Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh Friday said economic planning will be undertaken which not only stabilises the countrys economy but also raises peoples living standard.
He was talking to Geo News after holding a meeting with Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani.
Dr. Shaikh said the meeting focused economic policies for the country.
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani during the meeting said appointment of an experienced economist as Advisor will give fresh impetus to the management of Pakistans economy.
Welcoming the new Finance Advisor Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, who called on him here at the PM House, the Prime Minister said his appointment at this juncture will send a strong signal to the investors, business and trade circles about the governments commitment to economic reforms, financial management and growth that is beneficial for all.
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the induction of an economist in the cabinet will help calibrate policies for boosting the economic growth.
The Prime Minister said the economy should focus on creation of economic opportunities and employment to help improve quality of life of common man.
He said the government through stringent measures had been able to check the downward trend of economy and bring about stability. He said now there was a need to prioritize the specific areas contributing towards sustainable economic growth.
The Prime Minister asked the Economic Advisor to monitor the fundings of the special initiatives of the government for the poor like Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) and Wasela-e-Haq Programme.
The management of circular debt of energy sector was also a matter of immediate concern to help ease the power shortage situation in the country, he added.
Thanking the Prime Minister for reposing his confidence, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh assured to implement the governments economic agenda in accordance with the priorities determined by the government.
