Prime Minister promises to send economic gains to the public once regional peace is fully restored

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that 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 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 bringing peace had borne fruit, while thanking friendly countries for supporting mediation efforts.

“We are grateful to friendly countries that provided full support in efforts to bring peace,” he said.

Prime Minister 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.

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He said that Pakistan had remained actively engaged in efforts to bring about peace from the beginning of the tensions.

The Prime Minister said that the vision of economic development for Pakistan and other countries could be achieved only through lasting establishment of peace in the region and around the world.

“In recent months, the government has done everything to protect the public from the global inflation wave,” he said, adding that by God’s grace the country had avoided major disruptions and fuel shortages seen elsewhere.

The Prime Minister said the federation and the provinces had worked together to maintain economic stability during the recent crisis and thanked the provincial governments for their cooperation.

“A people-friendly budget was presented in the difficult economic situation, which will speed up the wheels of industry and promote an export-based economy,” he said.

The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to pass on the benefits of economic stability to the population once conditions are normalized.

“After the peace in the region and the situation returning to normal, positive economic effects will be passed on to the public,” he said.

Discussing priorities for the next budget, Prime Minister Shehbaz said the government’s focus would remain on national interests, especially increasing water reservoirs and promoting information technology, agriculture and mineral sectors to strengthen the economy.

He also thanked the provincial governments for their support during the crisis, saying that improved planning by the government team had helped minimize public problems and enabled the launch of large relief packages for middle-income and economically vulnerable groups.

“It is not possible for the people of this country to sacrifice 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 problems through a Rs128 billion subsidy program and a broad austerity campaign.

“All these efforts are the result of Team Pakistan’s collective struggle and Inshallah, this Team Pakistan will place Pakistan among the developed countries of the world,” he said.

The women parliamentarians hailed efforts to promote peace at the regional and global level 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 legislators also presented proposals regarding ongoing public welfare projects in their constituencies and suggested measures related to education, health, youth employment, industry, communication, food security and other sectors.

The meeting was attended by several women parliamentarians as well as Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, General Affairs Minister Rana Mubashar Iqbal and Special Assistant Talha Barkki.