Dar terms provision of relief to poor as govt's top priority.

ISLAMABAD -- Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Ishaq Dar on Saturday directed Ministry of Industries and Production to formulate comprehensive model under which maximum relief may be provided to the lest endowed segment on priority.

The minister chaired a meeting on PM's relief package through USC at Finance Division. The chair was apprised of the Prime Minister's relief package and subsidy being provided on five essential items (pulses, flour, sugar, rice and ghee) through Utility Stores Corporation (USC) to facilitate the masses of the country. It was informed that good quality of flour, sugar, rice, ghee and pulses are provided to the masses across the country on subsidized rates. The financial implications of the subsidy were also discussed in the meeting. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that the present government is cognizant of the issues of the poor segment of the society that needs maximum relief support. He further emphasized that providing relief to the poor is priority of the government and the govt is providing utmost support to them.

The finance minister further directed Ministry of Industries and Production to formulate comprehensive model under which maximum relief may be provided to the lest endowed segment on priority. Federal Minister for Industries and Production Makhdoom Syed Murtaza Mehmood, SAPM on Finance Tariq Bajwa, SAPM on Revenue Tariq Pasha, Secretary Finance, Secretary Industries and Production, MD USC and senior officers attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a meeting with Federal Minister for Privatization/Chairman Privatization Commission Abid Hussain Bhayo on privatization programme at Finance Division. SAPM on Finance Tariq Bajwa, SAPM on Revenue Tariq Pasha, Secretary Finance, Secretary Privatization and senior officers attended the meeting.

The meeting reviewed the privatization programme of state owned entities. The meeting discussed various issues impeding the...