Prime Minister promises to pass on economic benefits to public once regional peace is fully restored

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said the government had presented a people-friendly budget despite difficult economic conditions and promised to pass on the benefits of its economic policies to the public once peace was fully restored in the region.

The prime minister made these remarks during a meeting with women parliamentarians belonging to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Islamabad. He welcomed the legislators and thanked them for their active participation in the ongoing budget session.

Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister said the government had made all-out efforts 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 one of the government’s top priorities,” she 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 decreased and efforts aimed at establishing peace had borne fruit, while thanking friendly countries for supporting mediation efforts.

“We thank friendly countries that provided all their support in the efforts to establish peace,” he said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz especially praised the role of Field Marshal Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister Ishaq Dar, Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi and other members of the government team in the mediation process.

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He said Pakistan had continued to actively participate in efforts to establish peace since the beginning of tensions.

The prime minister said the vision of economic development for Pakistan and other countries could only be achieved by establishing lasting peace in the region and around the world.

“In recent months, the government has made every 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 like 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.

“In the difficult economic situation, a people-friendly budget was presented, which will accelerate the wheel of industry and promote an export-based economy,” he said.

The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to passing on the benefits of economic stability to the people once conditions normalize.

“After peace in the region and the situation returns to normal, the positive economic impacts will be conveyed to the public,” he said.

Discussing priorities for the upcoming budget, Prime Minister Shehbaz said the government’s focus will continue to be on national interests, particularly increasing water reserves and promoting information technology, agriculture and mineral sectors to strengthen the economy.

He also thanked provincial governments for their support during the crisis, saying that better planning by the government team had helped minimize public hardship and enabled the launch of significant aid 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.

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According to the prime minister, the government sought to reduce public hardship through a Rs 128 billion subsidy program 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 developed countries of the world,” he said.

The parliamentarians paid tribute to efforts to promote regional and global peace and thanked 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.

Lawmakers also submitted suggestions on 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 MPs as well as Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, General Affairs Unit Minister Rana Mubashar Iqbal and Special Assistant Talha Barkki.