Govt's initiatives for prosperity of people, bearing fruits: Firdous

• Government's steps for prosperity, national development
• Government implementing the agenda of economic reforms
• Enhancement of tax revenue, reduction in fiscal deficit are the priorities

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan on Monday said the government's steps for prosperity  of people and national development, have started yielding positive results.

In a series of tweets, she said the government was implementing the  agenda of economic reforms under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran  Khan and taking steps to invigorate the economy.

The SAPM said enhancement of tax revenue and reduction in fiscal  deficit were priorities of the government.

She said the government collected Rs 580 billion  tax in the first two  months of the current fiscal year against Rs 509 billion  in the  corresponding period last year. She revealed 600,000 new tax filers  have been added to FBR network.

Dr Firdous said credit for this success went to Prime Minister Imran  Khan, who for the first time, transformed tax revenue collection into a  national movement.

Firdous Ashiq Awan said it was for the first time that income of the  national kitty, not of rulers, was increasing. This was a good news for  the country and the nation, she added.

The Special Assistant said 73 percent reduction in current account  deficit was a major achievement.

She said there had been a significant increase in exports and  decrease in imports.

She said Rs 70 billion have been collected from two cellular companies  under license fee, and another Rs 70 billion would also accrue from another  cellular company. As a whole, Rs 200  billion will be received from this  sector, she added.

She said the government was striving to promote economic activities  and facilitate the business community.

Firdous Ashiq Awan said the government has reduced its expenditures. No supplementary grant was approved during the two months, and the  government saved Rs 246 billion due to appreciation in the currency  value during the last few weeks, she added.

The  SAPM expressed confidence that the government will be able to  collect Rs 1000 billion non-tax revenue this year, which includes  Rs 200 billion from cellular companies, Rs 400 billion  from profits  of State Bank of Pakistan and Rs 300 billion from privatization of  Re-gasified Liquefied Natural Gas plants.