By Karim Madad ISLAMABAD, March 09 (INP-WealthPK): Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent announcement to incentivise information technology and industrial sectors will help create maximum jobs and boost exports for Pakistan’s socio-economic prosperity. Talking to WealthPK, Muzammil Aslam, the spokesman for the finance ministry, said that Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced an IT and industrial policy, under which the small and medium-size enterprises will be developed. “Interest-free loans will be provided to the youth to help them start their own ventures. This will not only help create employment opportunities but also boost exports,” he added. Muzammil Aslam said that despite economic challenges and rising oil prices internationally, the prime minister had slashed petrol and diesel prices by Rs10 per litre and electricity by Rs5 per unit to benefit people hit by inflation. He added that due to the prudent economic policies initiated by the government, the country’s economy was growing at 6%, while exports, tax revenues and remittances have also increased. The finance ministry spokesman said the Covid-19 pandemic had adversely affected economies around the world, disrupting supply chains, stoking inflation and jacking up shipment costs. “Prices of imported petroleum products, palm oil and other crude and raw materials have been constantly increasing, putting pressure on Pakistan’s economy.” However, the government, he says, has been taking concrete measures to offset the effects of this price spiral in the country. Muzammil Aslam informed WealthPK that despite economic pressures, the government has succeeded in distributing interest-free loans of Rs3 billion to 15,000 members of the middle-income groups. He said under the Akhuwat and Ehsaas programmes, the applicants, especially youth, are being provided with interest-free loans for establishment of SMEs across the country. Muzammil Aslam further said that the government has also announced to give monthly stipend of Rs30,000 to graduates, besides offering them loans to start their own businesses. He said the government, has also decided to increase Ehsaas cash amount from Rs12,000 to Rs14,000 to mitigate the sufferings of the inflation-hit people. The finance ministry spokesman expressed the hope that these measures will help ensure economy’s sustainable growth.