ZAHEER ABBASI

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms had considered a press conference to unveil the Annual Plan 2017-18, that was approved by the National Economic Council headed by the Prime Minister, but abandoned the idea after a call from the Ministry of Finance.

Informed sources told Business Recorder on condition of anonymity that the media would be briefed about the Annual Plan 2017-18 on Wednesday, a day ahead of the Economic Survey but received a call from the Ministry of Finance asking whether the press briefing would take place as reported.

The Planning Ministry official informed the Ministry of Finance official that it was being considered though it was not scheduled.

The Annual Plan has deep linkage with the Survey and any press briefing on the plan would have downgraded the relevance of the Survey briefing that is led by the Finance Minister and is scheduled for today (Thursday).