islamabad
\nIn a bid to create a business-friendly environment to boost investments, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Saturday directed to ease visa policy for businessmen.
\nThe caretaker premier issued the directives while chairing the fifth apex committee meeting of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in Islamabad today.
\nThe government will ensure easy provision of visas to the businessmen, he said, adding, \u201cPakistan is entering a new era by these measures.
\nAddressing a joint press conference flanked by other ministers after the SIFC meeting, Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani announced that the government would issue long-term visas to the business community on investment.
\nTerming the European Union (EU) as Pakistan\u2019s \u201cimportant partner\u201d, he said the country\u2019s trade with all the countries increased during the recent months.
\n\u201cTrade with the United States (US) increased by $3 billion\u201d, the minister added. He maintained that SIFC\u2019s key objective was addressing investors\u2019 problems.
\nThe government is taking steps to remove the problems of foreign investors, caretaker FM Jilani said, adding that Pakistan\u2019s ties with the regional and international community were getting stronger.
\n\u201cPakistan\u2019s defence, political and economic relations [with the world] are improving,\u201d he added.
\nTerming the SIFC a \u201crevolutionary step\u201d, the caretaker foreign minister said, \u201cLike China, we also have close trade relations with the US.\u201d
\n\u201cGulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have also shown interest in investment in Pakistan.\u201d
\nHe also shared that the government was taking steps to boost bilateral trade with the EU and Africa.
\nOn his part caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti said, \u201cThe Interior Ministry has made the visa policy business-friendly. Investors will be given visas on easy terms.\u201d The government was taking special measures to curb smuggling, he added.
\nResponding to a question about terrorism, the interior minister said that no one would be allowed to impose their agenda at gunpoint.
\n\u2018Tax system is being digitised\u2019
\nCaretaker Minister for IT and Telecommunication Dr Umar Saif said that the government was digitising the tax system, adding that it will help document the economy.
\n\u201cIT sector can play a vital role in boosting the country\u2019s exports,\u201d he said, adding that his ministry may auction 5G in the next 10 months.
\n\u201cFreelancing facility will be created for 0.5 million people.\u201d Foreign reserves worth $1.5 would be brought into the country by creating a digital platform, he claimed.
\nThe minister was of the view that they would shift the economy to a \u201ccashless\u201d system. He announced that Pakistan has started production of smartphones, adding, \u201c50 million sets have already been made.\u201d
\nPM directs ministers to make positive contribution
\nDuring the meeting, PM Kakar directed the ministries to optimally utilise the short interim period for a positive contribution while also initiating medium and long-term policy interventions.
\nSpeaking on the occasion, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Syed Asim Munir pledged unwavering support of the Pakistan Army to backstop the government\u2019s efforts for \u201ceconomic revival\u201d of the country, according to a statement shared by the Prime Minister\u2019s Office on X, formerly known as Twitter.
\nThe committee unanimously decided to take all decisions in the larger interest of the country and deal with the menace of smuggling, hoarding and market manipulations with iron hands through an elaborate enforcement mechanism, read the statement.
\nThe meeting was attended by the army chief, federal cabinet, provincial chief ministers and high-level government officials.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
islamabad In a bid to create a business-friendly environment to boost investments, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Saturday directed to ease visa policy for businessmen. The caretaker premier issued the directives while chairing the fifth apex committee meeting of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in Islamabad today. The government will ensure easy provision […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":354901,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-354885","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n