Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that despite persistent political unrest and protests aimed at destabilizing the government, Pakistan has managed to achieve economic stability and meet its fiscal targets.
Addressing the federal cabinet, the prime minister said: “The protests tried to derail the economy, but we managed to improve the financial picture.”
He highlighted that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) achieved 97% of its tax collection goal for December, fulfilling the commitments made with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The prime minister praised officials for their efforts in mobilizing resources and highlighted a significant contribution of Rs 72 billion from alternative dispute resolution (ADR) measures. “Despite a substantial gap between targets and collections, the leadership of the FBR deserves recognition,” he commented.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also praised measures to digitize Karachi port operations through a $6 million grant from the Bill Gates Foundation, which reduced container processing time by 39%. This initiative, he said, has accelerated trade and improved transparency.
Regarding smuggling control, the Prime Minister stated that the efforts of federal institutions and the military had effectively curbed the illicit flow of sugar and oil across borders, allowing the country to export surplus sugar. “This success is a testament to coordinated governance,” he added.
Highlighting the remittance inflows, the prime minister shared that Pakistan received $15 billion in the first five months of the fiscal year. If the trend continues, remittances could exceed $35 billion, setting a national record.
Amid these achievements, the prime minister expressed concern over the resurgence of terrorism. He attributed the rise to the Afghan government’s release of militants, many of whom had infiltrated Pakistan.
“Our security forces are making daily sacrifices to combat this threat,” he said, calling for vigilance and resilience.
Prime Minister Shehbaz concluded by highlighting the transparency and integrity of his government. “Nine months of government have passed and there has not been a single scandal. “The public is witness to our commitment to clean administration,” he said.
While acknowledging the challenges, the Prime Minister urged all stakeholders to come together for the prosperity of the country in the new year.
