Speaking at a ceremony organised to mark one-year performance of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government, she maintained that reforms undertaken in the power sector have started yielding positive results by containing flow of circular debt. She said the prime minister decided to cancel his scheduled address to the nation owing to the Kashmir situation; and therefore she has been assigned the task to speak out government's performance.
While highlighting the performance of some ministries, she said that reforms have been initiated in the FBR to facilitate the traders and business community and is being made strong to broaden the tax base whereas there was a considerable reduction in line losses in the power to deal with the challenge of circular debt.
The government's launch of Ehsass programme, Pakistan Postal Services as well as performance of Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Kashmir issue and introduction of new visual policy for visitors by Ministry of Interior were some of the major success stories of the present government during the last one year which had to deal with the economic mess and most critical challenge was on front of balance of payment position.
She said that transmission lines and Rs 1.2 billion circular debt were major challenges in the power sector for the government, however, reforms introduced has improved the line losses to some extent and further improvement in recovery of billed amount is being made to reduce the flow of circular debt. There would be much improvement in the next fiscal year, she added
She added that an authority has been set up in the Ministry of Housing to overcome the shortage of houses and large number of houses would be constructed in the next five year to make sure every poor has its own house. Rs 152 billion have been earmarked for Ehsas programme which developed in a way to fulfil the needs of the poor whether through Sehat card or by providing loans to the farmers, youth etc.
The Ministry of Interior has prepared a new visa policy for tourists and provided visa on arrival facility to the people of 175 countries and measures have also been taken at border to deal with the menace of smuggling and money laundering.
Ministry of Postal Services for the first has earned profit while ministry of Communication has introduced road safety measures for protection of the people and education ministry has introduced Madrasa reforms.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs performance was visible to everyone as it failed India designs on situation occupied Kashmir situation and moved United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government's biggest achievement during the last one year was that it believes in freedom of media and she wanted the media to support the government and not criticize it for the cause of Kashmir as Indian media has been supporting to Modi led-government. Firdous Ashiq Awan also thanked the opposition for supporting the cause of Kashmir and contributing to national unity to the cause.
She said that ministries would be open to media accountability for their one year performance and media would be free to invite minister of relevant ministry at any forum to hold him accountable for his ministry's performance.
She said this from the last few days Indian aggression has converted the Indian occupied Kashmir into a biggest jail of the world and entire valley was landlocked and no one in the valley had access to essential commodities and medicines and those who raise voice against aggression becomes victims of India forces' state terrorism. She said that "I dedicate the day for the people of Kashmir".
Firdous Ashiq Awan said reforms have been undertaken in PTV to make it autonomous, as well as in other attached departments of the Ministry of Information and pending dues of media whose releases have been slowed due to financial problem would be expedited in the second quarter as per directives of the prime minister.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Political Affairs, Naeem-ul-Haq said Pakistan is passing through a critical phase with regard to Kashmir issue and Pakistan does not want war because it would destroy both the India and Pakistan.
He said that that Pakistan hopes that interregional pressure on India after its recent measures taken in IoK would lead the resolution of the dispute. He regretted that India mad turned Kashmir into a police state and stated that Pakistan would go to any extend to make sure that people of Kashmir are granted freedom.