PM Shehbaz Vows to Pass on Economic Benefits After Peace Restored
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said the government had presented a people-friendly budget despite difficult economic conditions and vowed to pass on the benefits of its economic policies to the public once peace was fully restored in the region.
The prime minister made the remarks during a meeting with women parliamentarians belonging to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Islamabad. He welcomed the lawmakers and thanked them for their active participation in the ongoing budget session.
Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister said the government had made every possible effort to provide relief to the public through the budget, adding that it included measures aimed at empowering women and increasing their participation in national life.
“Empowering Pakistani women to play a full role in national development is among the government's top priorities,” he said.
Referring to the recent agreement between Iran and the United States that ended more than three months of conflict, the prime minister said tensions in the region had eased, and efforts aimed at establishing peace had borne fruit, while thanking friendly countries for supporting mediation efforts.
“We are grateful to friendly countries that provided full support in the efforts for establishing peace,” he said.
PM Shehbaz particularly praised the role of Field Marshal Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and other members of the government team in the mediation process.
He said Pakistan had remained actively engaged in efforts to establish peace from the outset of the tensions. The premier said the vision of economic development for Pakistan and other countries could only be achieved through the lasting establishment of peace in the region and around the world.
“In the past months, the government made every possible effort to protect the public from the global wave of inflation,” he said, adding that, by the grace of God, the country had avoided major disruptions and fuel shortages seen elsewhere.
The prime minister said the federation and provinces had worked together to maintain economic stability during the recent crisis and thanked provincial governments for their cooperation.
“A people-friendly budget was presented in the difficult economic situation, which will accelerate the wheel of industry and promote an export-based economy,” he said.
The premier reiterated the government’s commitment to pass the benefits of economic stability to the people once conditions normalised. “After peace in the region and the situation returning to normal, positive economic impacts will be passed on to the public,” he said.
Discussing priorities for the next budget, PM Shehbaz said the government's focus would remain on national interests, particularly increasing water reservoirs and promoting the information technology, agriculture, and minerals sectors to strengthen the economy.
He also thanked provincial governments for their support during the crisis, saying improved planning by the government team had helped minimise public hardship and enabled the launch of major relief packages for middle-income and economically vulnerable groups.
“It is not possible for the people of this country to make sacrifices while the elite continue to enjoy privileges,” he said, while mentioning that austerity measures had begun with the cabinet and government institutions.
According to the prime minister, the government sought to reduce public hardship through a Rs128 billion subsidy programme and a broad austerity campaign.
“All these efforts are the result of the collective struggle of Team Pakistan, and Inshallah, this Team Pakistan will place Pakistan among the ranks of the world's developed countries,” he said.
The women parliamentarians paid tribute to efforts aimed at promoting peace at the regional and global levels and appreciated the prime minister and the government's economic team for including measures in the budget to empower women and expand access to education and development opportunities.
The lawmakers also presented suggestions regarding ongoing public welfare projects in their constituencies and proposed measures related to education, health, youth employment, industry, communications, food security, and other sectors.
The meeting was attended by several women parliamentarians as well as Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Minister for General Affairs Unit Rana Mubashar Iqbal and Special Assistant Talha Barkki.
