Follow Us on Google News
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan today (Thursday) launched the ‘Naya Pakistan Certificates’ scheme, inviting Pakistani diasporas to bring foreign remittances in the country.
“We have to take such an initiative forward. ‘Naya Pakistan Certificates’ scheme will convince overseas Pakistanis to bring foreign currencies to Pakistan,” he said while addressing the launching ceremony in Islamabad.
The ceremony was attended by notable government officials including Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Minister for Industries Hammad Azhar and Minister for Economic Affairs Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, among others.
According to the scheme, the certificates, which will be administered by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), will give up to 7 percent return in US Dollars and 11 percent in Pakistani rupees.
Overseas Pakistani, as well as Pakistani citizens – who have declared their foreign assets to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), are eligible to buy the certificates.
In this regard, the Prime Minister said, “As soon as people will start bringing foreign remittances to Pakistan, our reserves will go up, our market rates will improve and it would also help Pakistan to stabilise its economy.”
PM Imran also highlighted the PTI-led government’s step to resuscitate the economy. “After 17 years the current account is in surplus which is unfortunately not being highlighted,” he added.
“If we did not have to bear the burden of the previous government’s corrupt practices, we would be far ahead. Nonetheless, by employing efforts, our economy is now moving in the right direction,” he maintained.
He also assured that his government is working to resolve the shortage of essential commodities, saying that no cartel would be allowed to create artificial shortage of any commodity in the country anymore.