Export slide: PM blames ''ambiguity'' in policy

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi blamed the ambiguity in policy for decline in exports to $20 billion from $25 billion during the four years of the present government and maintained that the problem is being addressed to increase the exports. While talking to a group of journalists here on Tuesday, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan''s potential of exports in the international market is of more than $25 billion and now ambiguity in export policy is being addressed to boost the exports. He acknowledged the challenges of current account deficit and stated that these are growth specific as increase in growth always creates problem of current account deficit. "We are managing this issue," he maintained.
The Prime Minister added, "Exports declined due to ambiguity in export policy and the problem is being addressed." He also claimed that all the contracts signed by the present government are available on websites and transparency in contracts have also been acknowledged by foreign institutions. The Prime Minister said that he is ready to hand over power distribution companies and gas companies to the provinces and admitted that the government is unable to turn around the Pakistan International Airline (PIA) and eventually reached the conclusion that businesses cannot be run by the public sector.
Abbasi stated that the liabilities of PIA have accumulated to Rs 450 billion with a daily loss of Rs 100-150 million. "We are ready to offer it to the provinces, pilot association of PIA or its workers'' union," he added. In reply to a question about new Islamabad international airport, he said that Civil Aviation Authority is not capable to run a modern airport like Islamabad International airport and the government may hire services of experts.
Abbasi stated that Pakistan has been fighting war against terror for its own sake and international community as well and there is no room for asking it to do more. He said no one more than Pakistan wants peace in Afghanistan because war will not resolve their problems. "We have been housing over three million Afghans in Pakistan since decades," he added.
Prime Minister Abbasi was confident that the present government will complete its tenure and elections will be held on time." This government will complete its tenure and I will not dissolve assembly," he said adding that he will dissolve assembly if his party asks him to do so; otherwise, no one can force him to do so. He said that resolution of Kashmir dispute is vital for good relations between the two arch rivals. He said that Pakistan will defend itself against any aggression.
The Prime Minister also denied of having any objection on proposed names for National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor. "Some names have been suggested by the NAB and we also have some names in our mind," he said adding that this is a part of consultation process and finally a better person will be selected. The Prime Minister said that port has been established at Gwadar while work on East-Bay Expressway has also been started, while first industrial zone has been set up with operationalizaion of four industrial units.
To a question about corruption cases against top leadership of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), the Prime Minister claimed that there are no charges of corruption against his party leadership and the party will go into election on the issues of electricity, gas and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The Prime Minister said people must know about the whole life of a person who becomes a judge of a court.