LAHORE: Provincial Finance Minister Dr Ayesha Ghous Pasha Friday said the Punjab government has prepared a comprehensive Economic Growth Strategy in accordance with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif.
During her budget speech here at Punjab Assembly, she said main points of the strategy included raising the provincial development growth rate up to seven or eight percent till 2018; creation of one million jobs annually for the youth; double the private investment in the province till 2018; taking all possible measures to eliminate terrorism and to ensure protection to the life and property of the masses; and raise the export ratio up to 15 percent.
The provincial finance minister said the government had been focusing on attracting private investment specially the foreign investors which was evident from the unprecedented investment made in various ectors, including energy and infrastructure, during last two years.
The PML-N government also managed to bring in huge investment of $46 billion from China that would help change the fate of Pakistan, as out of this package $34 billion would be spent on electricity generation projects.
Dr Ayesha said the PML-N leadership had been making hectic efforts to steer the country out of darkness and the nation was awaiting Chinese President for signing of historic agreements, but unfortunately, at that time some element had been attempting to sabotage the visit to Pakistan in the name of sit-ins.
However, the five months of unjustified protests and politics of chaos had clearly differentiated the people-friendly leadership and the anti-people leadership before the masses, she added.
