Artificial increase in dollars’ price being checked: Shaukat Tarin

ISLAMABAD: Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin on Sunday said artificial increase in price of dollar was being checked and stern action would be taken against hoarders and smugglers of the currency.

Talking to media persons at a ceremony in Karachi, Shaukat Tarin said value of rupee depreciated because of gambling. The government would tighten the noose around bookmakers, he maintained.

He said all the matters with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would be settled soon. He said the government had to approach the IMF because of lack of dollars.

“The nation will get good news about the IMF programme as affairs related to the programme had been decided and its announcement would be made by the IMF,” he said adding that he expected the economic growth to surge over five per cent from four per cent.

The advisor to PM on finance said the government was working on a long-term strategy to strengthen national economy on sustainable basis.

He said, “We do not want progress of two or four years, we need progress of at least 20-30 years. Developed countries progressed for 20-30 years.”

Prime Minister Imran Khan took balanced decisions to protect livelihood of people and economy during COVID-19, he said.

Shaukat Tarin said the government fully focused on construction, agriculture and industry to ensure growth in all sectors.

He said significant growth in agriculture production had been witnessed during the last year and the Finance Ministry has been trying to increase the revenue from nine to 11 per cent.

Tarin said the Information Technology sector exports increased by 47 per cent during the last year and other sectors were also showing growth. He said promotion of construction sector had generated job opportunities.