ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Minister of State for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan on Thursday informed the National Assembly that the federal government had taken various steps to bring rural economy at par with urban economy.
Responding to a question during question hour in the Lower House, he said the federal government was implementing ‘Kissan Package’ with a total financial outlay of Rs 341 billion.
Rana Afzal said the agriculture sector which had the mainstay in rural development, its share in gross domestic product (GDP) was 19.5 percent as per estimation of 2016-17.
The finance minister said the government had provided mark-up free loans to the farmers for solar tube wells. He added the government had also reduced sales tax on pesticides and seeds.
Responding to another question, Rana Afzal said no appointment had been made on adhoc basis in Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) during 2013 to 2016. He said the recovery rate of the ZTBL was satisfactory.
