ISLAMABAD, May 9 (DNA): The Senate was informed on Thursday that
remittances this year will increase to 22 billion dollars breaking the
stagnant mode of the previous years.

Minister of State for Revenue Hammad Azhar told the House during
Question Hour that exports have increased to 25 billion dollars and the
government is committed to enhance them further to strengthen economy.

He said work on NFC Award is underway and the government is committed to
provide due share to the erstwhile FATA.

Responding to a question regarding inflation, the Minister of State said
inflation rate in April reduced to 8.8 percent from 9.4 percent in
March. He said the inflation rate in the first eight months of PTI
government is the lowest as compared to the corresponding period in the
last two governments.

To a question about talks with the IMF, he said talks with IMF are at
the final stage and its details will soon be shared with parliament.

About reforms in Federal Board of Revenue, he said Internal Audit Wing
of the department will be made autonomous to remove the conflict of
interest within the organization.

The Minister of State said findings of Egmont Group, an informal network
of 159 financial intelligence units to control money laundering, will be
incorporated in Anti-Money Laundering Act.

He said after incorporating findings of the group Pakistan will be in a
strong position to become member of the group, and this membership will
enable Pakistan to have technical assistance in forensic and tracing of
money trails data.

Minister for Planning and Development Reforms Khusro Bakhtyar told the
house that Gwadar will be connected with the national grid at a cost of
17.5 billion rupees.

He said consensus has been developed with the stakeholders on Gwadar
master plan. He said regional equalization strategy is the agenda of
government to bring less developed areas at par with rest of the
country.

Khusro Bakhtyar said in next PSDP, Balochistan will be given its due
share which was ignored by the previous governments.

He said eight billion rupees will also be allocated for completion of
the remaining work of Kachhi Canal.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Azam Khan Swati told the house that
two new automobile companies will start their production in January and
July next year. He said with the arrival of new companies a competitive
environment will flourish.