Political, Economic Stability Inevitable: PM Shehbaz Sharif

Monitoring Desk — Prime Minister Shehbaz on Tuesday stressed the need for political and economic stability for the country to sustain the hard-earned economic progress.

Addressing the National Action Plan’s apex committee meeting, the Premier criticized the PTI leadership for giving the protest call on November 24, saying they should think rationally if the sit-in was in the country’s interest.

He said that the country was gaining economic stability due to the collective efforts of the federation, provinces, institutions and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir. Political and economic stability are interdependent, he added.

The Prime Minister thanked the provincial governments for their support for securing the $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan package. He reiterated his government’s resolve to wipe out the menace of terrorism, saying it (terrorism) was the biggest challenge for Pakistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the country had no other choice, but to crush the terrorist elements for peace and progress of the country.

The PM was quite relieved over the economic indicators showing signs of improvements. Shehbaz Sharif said the country’s stock exchange had touched the highest level, while inflation has come down to a single digit. He also mentioned that the key policy rate reduced from 22% to 15% and a record increase in the IT exports was quite encouraging.  

“There is also significant surge in remittances.”

The Premier said that efforts were underway to enhance tax base but he needed full support from all segments of the society for that purpose. He said the country cannot get freedom from tax base without enlarging the tax base.

PM Shehbaz Sharif chaired today’s apex committee meeting. It was attended by civilian and military leadership including all provincial chief ministers, the army chief, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief, Military Intelligence, Intelligence Bureau chiefs, key federal ministers, and others to discuss the overall security situation in the country.