Federal govt unveils two-year performance report

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Tuesday unveiled its two-year performance report highlighting successes on the internal and external fronts as it completes its second parliamentary year.

Cabinet members including Information Minister Shibli Faraz, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Adviser on Finance Hafeez Sheikh, Minister for Industries Hammad Azhar and Special Assistant on Poverty Alleviation Sania Nishtar presented the two-year performance at a news conference in Islamabad.

The information minister said the government is answerable before the masses in a democratic society, saying it is their aim is to transform Pakistan into a welfare state. He said it is the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan to serve the masses especially those belonging to downtrodden segments of society.

The information minister said the first two years were difficult but now good days have started. He said the people have rejected the politics of vested interests and those who wanted to destabilise the economy and create anarchy, while they will confront all challenges as a united nation.

Pakistan is a partner in peace

Sharing the achievements on the external front, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said it was because of the effective policy of the last two years that Kashmir dispute stands internationalised today.

He said the UN Security Council held discussions on the outstanding dispute for the third time in a year. He pointed out that Prime Minister Imran Khan in his address to the UN General Assembly and other international forums forcefully raised the dispute. He said India wanted to isolate Pakistan at regional and international levels but their plots were foiled.

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The foreign minister said that intra-Afghan dialogue is about to commence and Pakistan has played its part in it. He said there has been a narrative shift regarding Pakistan over the last two years. He said Pakistan is no longer considered part of the problem but part of the solution and is being viewed as a partner in peace.

Qureshi said the government gave the concept of economic diplomacy to enhance economic footprint. He said during this period, they have also revitalised relations with longstanding friends, and the relationship with China is transforming into a strong economic partnership.

He said the second phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) involves industrialisation, enhancing agricultural productivity, poverty alleviation and human resource development. He said the prime minister’s global debt relief initiative for the developing countries was acknowledged by the world.

Pakistan tackled COVID-19 effectively

Minister for Planning Asad Umar said Pakistan is being ranked amongst the few countries which successfully confronted COVID-19. He said the situation in Pakistan is far better when compared with other countries in the region.

He attributed this success to the decisions taken in a timely manner with consensus and said the government proved it has the competence and willingness to address the challenges.

In her remarks, Special Assistant on Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar gave a detailed briefing on different components of Ehsaas program which is the country’s largest social safety net.

She said the Ehsaas program will be further expanded and its access to masses will be ensured. She said that a program is being launched in the next fifteen days in all districts under which children of deserving families will be given scholarships.