Islamabad - APP
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain Tuesday said that the Government of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) under the visionary leadership of Imran Khan was pursuing a vibrant reforms agenda for socio-economic uplift of people.
He was talking to Rochdale Mayoral delegation led by Tony Lloyd, Member of UK Parliament , who called on him here Tuesday. The minister said, “We want to revive institutions of Pakistan. We want to reform Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to expand the tax base for generating more revenues.”
The minister said that victory of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) in general election was nothing less than a revolution of the middle class. He remarked that the previous rulers looted Pakistan mercilessly, wreaked havoc on the economy and weakened national institutions. The previous Government spent a staggering amount of Rs 51 billion on advertisements in the last five years on self-projection and to achieve its personal agenda in an extravagant way. Fawad said, “We are banking on overseas Pakistanis and seeking their support and contribution for implementing the reform agenda of the Government.”
He told the delegation regarding the immense tourism potential of Pakistan which was blessed with diverse flora and fauna, picturesque valleys and mighty mountains spread over a vast area in the north and north-west.
He said that government initiated a clearly defined vision to take advantage of the opportunities available in the tourism sector, adding Pakistan was a modern country and as safe as any other place in the world.
The problems of extremism and terrorism were on the wane and the government would raise profile and project soft image of Pakistan by showcasing the country’s arts, culture and films. Pakistan London festival was on cards to unveil before the world the country’s rich cultural diversity, he added.
The minister said that environment issue was not in the limelight before Imran Khan led the debate and took major initiative of billion tree tsunami in the previous PTI government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
This time Imran Khan as Prime Minister of Pakistan has launched the campaign to plant 10 billion trees across the country, he said adding that the plantation drive was aimed to create clean and green Pakistan.
Members of the UK delegation wished the government success in implementation of its reform agenda. They said the visit brought a positive change in their perception about Pakistan and they felt a sense of security and enjoyed the hospitality extended to them in a congenial environment.
The delegation comprised Chairman Third World Solidarity Alderman Mushtaq Lasharie, Mayor of Rochdale Muhammad Zaman, Deputy to Dy-Mayor of police Greater Manchester and Chair of Pakistani and Kashmiri Forum North of England Asim Rashid, former Mayor of Rochdale Sultan Ali, Chairperson of Pakeeza group Razia Shamim, Leader of Rochdale Council Allen Brett, Mayoral Consort Sheraz Sheri and businessman Javed Iqbal.