Budget reflecting nine-point economic agenda of Govt, Tarin.

ISLAMABAD, June 14, 2009 (Balochistan Times) -- Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance Shaukat Tarin has said budget speech reflects nine-point economic agenda of the government. Talking to PTV on Saturday night, he lauded the efforts of economic advisory council and experts from various sectors in making budget keeping in view aspiration of the people. Replying to a question, Shaukat Tarin said that actual budget deficit is 3.4 percent, adding around $ 4 billion bilateral and multilateral aid had been received this year and the same amount would be received next year. He said about two billion dollars would also come from friends of Pakistan next year, however, the government was going for agreement with the IMF to give stand by facility and would use the amount for balance of payment and also for fiscal if needed. Objective of the budget is to achieve nine-point agenda of which stability was top priority. He said our slogan was revival of economy. Shaukat Tarin said Rs 70 billion had been allocated for Benazir Income Support programme and also spending money on health. He said revival of economy was must for job creation and focus was being given to agriculture and manufacturing sectors for this purpose. He said budget focuses on stabilization, poverty reduction, agriculture and human resource development and relief to poor. Replying to another question, he said Benazir Income Support Programme was a big initiative as the government believe in eliminating poverty. The programme include skilled development and giving job to one person from each poor family, health insurance to Rs. 25000 and public works at union council level. Shaukat Tarin said the World Bank was sponsoring a transparent survey to determine income of each family and identify poor family.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)