Islamabad: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that political and administrative pressure will not be tolerated in the way of improving the country’s economy.
Addressing the anti-trafficking meeting, Prime Minister Mian Mohammad Shahbash Sharif said that it is our common responsibility to thwart all the enemy’s plots. They will not tolerate political and administrative pressure for the improvement of the economy.
He said that the interior minister has been instructed to review the security in the provinces. Challenges are overcome only by nations that do not give up. I am sure that the Pakistani nation will solve the problems with dignity and courage. There is no compromise on the development of the country, everyone has to work together to improve and strengthen the economy.
The Prime Minister said that continuous steps are being taken to improve the economy. Held various meetings regarding the economy in the last 24 days. The challenges have to be understood so that the economy can be managed. Political chaos must be ended for the development and prosperity of Pakistan. Federation, provinces and institutions should all be united.
Shahbaz Sharif added in his address that illegal trade and smuggling have caused enormous damage to Pakistan. The coalition government had allowed the import of 250,000 tonnes of sugar in 2022. The sugar we could have sold to earn dollars was lost due to smuggling to Afghanistan. 400 to 500 billion rupees are being lost annually due to electricity theft. The petroleum sector is also suffering from gas theft.
He said that this year the revenue is estimated at 9 billion. Revenue related cases of Rs 2700 billion are pending in the courts. During the caretaker government, theft of 58 billion rupees was recovered in the energy sector. In the caretaker government, concrete measures were taken in relation to anti-trafficking. The cooperation of the army chief and the provinces has helped in anti-trafficking.
The Prime Minister said that if there is intention, all the obstacles are removed. Work has started on digitization of FBR. Heads of FBR Tribunals will take on merit. A concrete plan of action will be adopted for the cases pending in the tribunals. For the development of the country, the promotion of industry and agriculture is indispensable.
He further said that an attempt was made to harm China-Pakistan relations with the Basham incident. It is our shared responsibility to thwart all the plans of the enemy.
