In Islamabad, Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif asserted that Pakistan will no longer tolerate terrorism infiltrating its borders, emphasizing their stance as a red line against such threats.
During a cabinet meeting, he expressed a desire for collaboration with neighboring nations to foster regional peace, citing the nation’s significant sacrifices in combating terrorism.
Sharif underscored the necessity of a fresh IMF program to address the country’s reliance on loans, stressing the imperative of freeing Pakistan from debt and revitalizing the economy. He highlighted efforts to avert bankruptcy, noting substantial political investments made for national welfare.
Regarding pending financial matters, Sharif urged the Chief Justice to expedite the resolution of cases involving significant revenues, expressing gratitude for any attention given to ensure merit-based decisions. He advocated for austerity measures, advocating for streamlining government expenses by reassessing departmental needs and devolving responsibilities to provinces per the Eighteenth Amendment.
Addressing rampant electricity theft, Sharif emphasized the need to combat losses amounting to billions annually, pledging to adopt stringent measures to curb theft of electricity and gas. Notably, in a gesture of solidarity, the prime minister and cabinet members decided to forgo their salaries and benefits during a previous meeting.
