Islamabad, September 12, 2024-Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan must move towards self-reliance and shed its dependency on loans. While addressing the cabinet meeting on Thursday, PM said that we are confident that the government’s actions will significantly boost Pakistan’s economy.
Prime Minister said that Pakistan’s economy will witness remarkable progress, and gradual changes are already taking place highlighting that the recent 2% reduction in the interest rate will benefit all sectors.
On the International Monetary Fund (IMF), he noted that the government has made every effort, and talks for the next program are progressing well. Once the program is finalized, measures will be taken to enhance economic growth.
He further emphasized the need for extensive reforms in the energy and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) sectors. He mentioned that Ahsan Langrial has been given time to address FBR matters, after which they will meet to discuss achieving targets.
Prime Minister expressed gratitude to Pakistan’s friendly and brotherly nations for their unwavering support regarding the IMF, likening their assistance to that of a brother helping another. He added that Pakistan must move towards self-reliance and shed its dependency on loans. “We are a nuclear power, and repeated loan requests diminish our significance,” he said, stressing that the government is making focused efforts on this front, and details will be shared at the appropriate time.
Condemning Israeli brutality, Shehbaz Sharif called the violence and killing of innocent Palestinians in Gaza one of the darkest chapters in human history. He lamented the global silence, noting that Israel has disregarded decisions from the United Nations, the Security Council, and the International Court of Justice, with major world powers remaining indifferent.
He further condemned the killing of six UN volunteers in Gaza as a result of Israeli aggression. “If this had happened in another country, there would have been an uproar,” he remarked, noting that 17 Muslims were martyred in Gaza again today. While he reiterated his condemnation of Israeli brutality, he stressed that the situation has now moved beyond mere condemnation, and the global conscience must take action.
