Pakistan to import sugar, cotton from India: Finance Minister Hammad Azhar

• Newly appointed finance minister says Pakistan to import sugar, cotton from India.
  
• Price of petrol to be slashed by Rs1.5 per litre, diesel by Rs3 per litre, he adds.
  
• Says will consult all stakeholders on State Bank autonomy bill.
  

  ---

ISLAMABAD: Federal Finance Minister Hammad Azhar announced on Wednesday the government's decision to import sugar and cotton from India.

The minister, in his first press conference since being given the finance portfolio, spoke about the high prices of sugar in Pakistan, saying the government had allowed sugar to be imported from other countries, however, the price of the commodity in other countries was also high like in Pakistan.

"However, in our neighbouring country India, the price of sugar is quite cheap," he said. "Hence, we have decided to resume sugar trade with India".

He said the measure would help bring down sugar prices in Pakistan and will provide relief to the poor.

Azhar said the demand for cotton in Pakistan was also increasing and the country needed the product in a large amount. He said Pakistan had not produced quality cotton last year hence it had given the green signal for the product to be imported from other countries around the globe.

"However, the import of cotton from India was banned and this had a direct effect on our SMEs," he said. "However, at the recommendation of the Ministry of Commerce, we have also decided to resume the trade of cotton with India," he said.

Govt to slash petrol prices

Azhar also spoke of the government's decision to decrease the prices of petrol and diesel.

"This decision is not related to the ECC [meeting that took place] but the first decision we have taken, after consultations with the prime minister, we will reduce the prices of petrol and diesel," said Hammad Azhar during a news conference.

"The price of petrol will be slashed by Rs1.5 per litre while the price of diesel will be slashed by Rs3 per litre. We took this decision because now, we have some room due to a change in prices at the international market," he said.

Positive changes in finance sector

Azhar said the incumbent government had brought about a positive change when it comes to the country's reserves in the State Bank of Pakistan.

"We made the State Bank of Pakistan autonomous," he said. "Our currency today is standing on its own feet, we are not adding dollars to it."

He said the government had received the $500mn tranche from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) adding that the amount would be a "healthy addition" to the country's reserves.

The finance minister said he had been elected by the masses and was answerable to them. He said the government's policies will be on the basis of the welfare of the people.

"Often, the correct decisions are the correct ones," he said.

In response to a question about the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Azhar said Pakistan was trying its best to comply with the anti-money laundering and terror financing watchdog's requirements.

"We will move forward with the utmost hard work. I won't like to comment further on this matter," he said.

Answering a question about the State Bank bill, Azhar said the government will present it to the Parliament for debate and will ensure all stakeholders are heard on the matter.

"The Parliament is sovereign, no other institution in the country is sovereign," he said, adding that if the government felt there is a need to revise the bill, it would "with an open mind and an open heart".

'We respect Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and his efforts'