Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has emphasized the need for collective efforts to eliminate terrorism, asserting that Pakistan cannot progress without addressing this critical challenge. Speaking at the Apex Committee meeting of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of setting aside personal biases to achieve success.
Shehbaz Sharif acknowledged the current security challenges, noting that the interim government in Afghanistan and other factors have led to increased pressure. He commended the sacrifices of the armed forces in combating terrorism. Reflecting on the government’s nine-and-a-half-month tenure, he said they faced both internal and external challenges but made significant progress through teamwork and mutual cooperation.
In the economic sector, the Prime Minister mentioned progress, including the stock market high and improved exports. He pointed to an increase in remittances by 34 percent within five months, foreign exchange reserves to $12.5 billion, and $4 billion of revenue from exported rice. The surplus quantity of sugar exports also brought half a billion dollars to the government of any country while checking the ill effects of smuggling.
Shehbaz Sharif shed more light on working on regional integration and better relations with the Central Asian countries, in addition to the recent MoUs inked with KSA, UAE, and Qatar. He related economic stability with political stability and emphasised that more coordination is required.
The Prime Minister also spoke about a sad event in Parachinar, praised the outcome of the agreement between different parties, and called for solidarity to avoid such instances in the future. He gave the nation the assurance of sustained working towards the lowering of electricity tariffs and a proper check on the generation of revenue and appropriate economic growth.
Shehbaz Sharif called for merit-based and fairly made decisions and mentioned that the success will be for those who work in unison for the success of the nation.