‘Int’l institutions express confidence on Pakistan’s economic statistics’

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday said international institutions have expressed complete confidence on Pakistan’s economic statistics.

“South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) counties should promote trade and links with each other,” he said while addressing a conference organized under the auspices of South Asian Federation of Accountants in Islamabad.

Dar said there was no cut in development budget of the country and the journey of prosperity would continue. He said 260 percent increase had been made in development budget.

He said we inherited a poor state of economy with the growth rate of meager 3 percent in 2013. However, due to economic vision of the prime minister and effective economic policies the situation of economy has highly improved.

The finance minister said the government has signed agreements with international institution to help stop tax evasion, and as a result tax income will exceed Rs3,500 billion rupees.

He said government was spending additional Rs100 billion to improve law and order.

The minister said we would welcome suggestion of forum in the field of social development. He said becoming a member of multinational convention will promote transparency in administrative matters.