Finance
Government to Address Inflation and Low Domestic Productivity
Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance & Revenue Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has said the government is taking steps to tackle inflation and enhance domestic productivity through greater spending on the social safety net, improving cash transfer programme, ensuring greater ease of doing business and providing subsidized loans, electricity and gas to the exporters.
“The government has worked very hard to pull the economy out of the ICU as it was in 2018, and the stage is now set for greater stabilization and enhanced domestic productivity that would help overcome inflation, boost businesses and create more employment opportunities,” he said while talking to Ambassador of France Dr.
Marc Barety who called on the Adviser at Finance Division today. Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh said that the government was focusing on revitalising the agriculture sector and several mega projects had been approved for improving irrigation management, watercourses and construction of water storage facilities at the farm level. These projects are also aimed at productivity enhancement of various crops, oilseeds enhancement, cage culture development, shrimp farming cluster development and water conservation in arid areas.
He said the government had doubled the social safety budget from Rs 100 billion to Rs 190 billion while it had also recently revamped its cash transfer programme by replacing nearly 800,000 people with more deserving people. The government had also recently launched a special food package at a cost of Rs 7 billion to provide essential food items at reduced rates through the utility stores to the poor segment of population adversely affected by the food inflation.
On the macro front, he said the government had brought down the current account deficit from 20 billion dollars to 13 billion dollars and it would be further reduced to 8 billion dollars this year. Similarly, exports which had remained stagnant for almost five years had shown an upward trend. He said the revenue collection had jumped by 16 per cent and foreign direct investment had gone up by 280 per cent growth in the current financial year.
Similarly, Pakistan’s exchange rate had begun to stabilize due to enhanced external flows while Pakistan Stock Exchange had been declared by Bloomberg as the best performing market in the world. France Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Marc Barety said he was impressed with the good work done by the government in Pakistan to introduce institutional reforms and achieve stability and growth. He said both France and Pakistan enjoyed an excellent relationship and hoped this relationship would further deepen in coming days through greater economic collaborations and business partnerships.
Analysis
China’s New Party Finance Organ: A Catalyst for Economic Growth Amid Stability Concerns
China’s banking industry is experiencing a change that might reshape its economic destiny in a world dominated by political upheaval and economic volatility. Significant attention has been paid to the creation of a new party financial organization called the “Central Finance Commission,” both domestically and outside. Questions about this entity’s impact on stability and economic […]

China’s banking industry is experiencing a change that might reshape its economic destiny in a world dominated by political upheaval and economic volatility. Significant attention has been paid to the creation of a new party financial organization called the “Central Finance Commission,” both domestically and outside. Questions about this entity’s impact on stability and economic growth loom as it enters the intricate realm of banking for the first time.
Table of Contents
The Birth of a New Financial Player
China’s new Central Finance Commission, born out of the necessity to adapt to an evolving global economy, has its roots in the political and financial spheres. This strategic move aims to create a more streamlined and efficient approach to managing the country’s financial resources. It represents a new era for China’s financial sector, blending politics and economics in ways previously unseen.
The Role of the Central Finance Commission
At its core, the Central Finance Commission is tasked with the responsibility of managing and allocating financial resources to support the overarching goals of the Chinese Communist Party. This entity’s role in the financial ecosystem is akin to the central nervous system in the human body, ensuring the efficient flow of resources and information.
Implications for Economic Growth
The impact of this new financial player on China’s economy is profound. By aligning the party’s objectives with the allocation of financial resources, the organ can significantly influence the country’s economic growth. It can direct investments toward sectors crucial for long-term development, foster innovation, and ensure economic stability.
Ensuring Stability Amid Concerns
While the Central Finance Commission brings with it the promise of economic prosperity, concerns over stability have not gone unnoticed. The consolidation of financial power within a single entity could raise questions about potential imbalances and unchecked influence.
Navigating Potential Pitfalls
To mitigate these concerns, it is imperative that the Central Finance Commission operates within a well-defined framework that ensures transparency and accountability. Striking a balance between political goals and economic pragmatism is crucial to guaranteeing a stable financial environment.
International Implications
The emergence of this new financial player extends beyond China’s borders. It has the potential to impact international financial markets and global economic dynamics. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, China’s financial decisions resonate far beyond its borders.
A Global Perspective
In the global arena, stakeholders and investors are keenly observing the developments in China’s financial sector. As the Central Finance Commission gets to work, it will influence investment patterns, market dynamics, and global financial strategies.
The Role of Technology
Technology and innovation play a pivotal role in the Central Finance Commission’s operations. Leveraging cutting-edge financial technologies can help ensure efficient resource allocation, reduce operational risks, and promote transparency.
Building Trust and Credibility
For the Central Finance Commission to succeed in its mission, building trust and credibility is paramount. Transparency, adherence to international financial standards, and ethical practices will be critical in gaining the trust of international investors and partners.
Navigating Future Challenges
As the Central Finance Commission charts a new course for China’s financial sector, it will inevitably encounter challenges and obstacles. Adapting to changing global economic dynamics and regulatory environments will be essential for its sustained success.
In Conclusion
China’s new Central Finance Commission marks a significant shift in the country’s financial landscape. While concerns over stability exist, it also holds the promise of being a catalyst for economic growth and development. As it treads the path of innovation and economic influence, it has the potential to redefine not only China’s economy but also its role on the global stage. The world watches with bated breath as this new financial player gets to work, shaping China’s economic future.
Economy
Sania Approves Cognitive API Architecture For Ehsaas’ One Window Socioeconomic Registry

Islamabad: The Cognitive API architecture for Ehsaas’ National Socio-Economic Registry 2021 is one of the six main pillars of ‘One Window Ehsaas’. With the survey, which is building the registry currently 90.5% complete nationwide, Ehsaas is firming up its plans to open data sharing and data access services for all executing agencies under Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division (PASSD).
Data sharing will be done through the Cognitive API Architecture approach. The deployment of Ehsaas API architecture for data sharing will allow executing agencies to access data from the unified registry in real-time to validate beneficiary information. This will empower them to ascertain eligibility of potential beneficiaries. The benefits which each family and individual is receiving from each organization will be visible to all agencies across all Ehsaas programs.
There will be two-way data sharing; agencies with whom data will be shared will also be required to update the registry with their own information, hence the registry will become more robust over time. A final presentation was made to Dr. Sania Nishtar who closely oversaw this process. She praised the technical team working on Ehsaas Cognitive API Architecture approach and congratulated them. Later, this service will be extended to provinces and other government agencies implementing Ehsaas programs as well.
The API architecture for data sharing will facilitate adoption of the Ehsaas One Window targeting Policy. The objective of this policy is to make targeting predictable, evidence based, transparent and effective in the Ehsaas ecosystem. Under the same architecture, the Utility Stores Corporation has also been linked with the Ehsaas database, which will underpin execution of a commodity subsidies program. This approach is being adopted for the first time and will usher in transparency. Previously, there was no way of one government agency knowing what support an individual or a family was getting from another government agency.
Some families with connections and influence were getting multiple benefits and other more deserving ones were getting none. Now, with the data integration, Ehsaas agencies will be able to see what benefits an individual or the households is getting. But more importantly, it will also reflect their entitlement in terms of various Ehsaas programmes and initiatives, because the data sharing is pegged with the Ehsaas One Window targeting Policy.
The integrated registry and the cognitive API Architecture for the registry is one pillar of the One Window Ehsaas, which will be launched this week. It has six main components: one-stop-shop centers; an integrated digital interface facing the office; a digital information and services platform; a mobile app; an integrated database comprising of cognitive API architecture; and the standardized beneficiary targeting policy.
Economy
Finance Minister for KP and Punjab called on the Minister for Finance and Revenue

Finance Minister for Khyber Pakhtunkwa (KP) Mr. Taimur Saleem Khan Jhagra called on the Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Mr. Shaukat Tarin, at the Finance Division today. SAPM on Finance and Revenue Dr. Waqar Masood and Secretary Finance Division Kamran Ali Afzal were also present during the meeting.
The Provincial Finance Minister from KP briefed the Finance Minister about efforts undertaken by the Provincial government to curtail expenditure and rationalize spending with a key focus on providing maximum relief to the masses amid COVID-19 pandemic. He also outlined measures taken to enhance provincial tax collection by expanding tax base and reducing the number of taxes.
The Provincial Finance Minister KP further apprised about commitment of the KP Government to streamline pay and pension expenditure which takes the biggest chunk of the overall Budget.
In his remarks, the Finance Minister Mr. Shaukat Tarin urged the Provincial administration to adhere to strict financial discipline and work out modalities to rationalize expenditure and divert savings towards socio-economic development in the Province particularly amid COVID-19 and in post COVID-Scenario. He stressed to stimulate economic activity through out-of-box thinking for enhancing revenues, rationalizing workforce and harmonizing tax structure aiming at improving service delivery in the Province.
While discussing Budget proposals, the Federal Finance Minister stressed that Education and Health are the key priority areas and must be given preference during the Budget making exercise. He encouraged consultative process between the Federal Government and Federating units for effective resource mobilization.
Later, Finance Minister for Punjab Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht also called on the Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Mr. Shaukat Tarin at the Finance Division.
The Provincial Finance Minister briefed the Federal Finance Minister about the overall fiscal position and upcoming Budget considerations during the meeting. He highlighted the steps taken by the Punjab Government to provide maximum relief to the vulnerable segments of the society during these testing times. He spelled out the vision and commitment of the Punjab Government to increase revenues, control expenditure, job creation, reduction of poverty and facilitating agriculture, Industrial and service sectors to tap true potential of these sectors for an export-led growth.
In his remarks, the Finance Minister emphasized the need for value-addition in Budget making exercise. He urged the Provincial Finance Minister to rationalize expenditure and harmonize taxation policies for a growth-oriented Budget.
The Finance Minister held meetings with the Provincial Finance Ministers as a part of an overall consultative process with key stakeholders including Provinces to seek valuable inputs for formulation of a people friendly growth-oriented Budget.
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