ISLAMABAD, July 13: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to achieving a full economic turnaround through long-overdue reforms, structural adjustments, and merit-based governance.
Addressing Pakistani students participating in the government’s Uraan Pakistan Summer Scholars Internship Programme, the prime minister reflected on the severe economic challenges his administration faced upon taking office in 2023.
“When we took charge, Pakistan stood at the edge of default. Inflation had soared to 38%, and the policy rate hovered around 22.5%,” the premier said.
He said that marathon talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) helped reassure international partners that Pakistan would meet its financial commitments and avoid default. Now, he added, the policy rate has dropped to below 11%, and the business climate is beginning to improve.
FBR Reforms and Crackdown on Corruption
Highlighting efforts to reform the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), PM Sharif said the government had removed corrupt officials and replaced paper-based systems with digitized solutions, including AI-powered tools and faceless tax interactions.
He revealed that revenue collection in one sector increased from Rs12 billion to over Rs50 billion within a year — a clear indicator of previous tax evasion.
“We ignored all ‘Sifarish’ and took difficult decisions to root out corruption. Now, digitisation is the hallmark of FBR,” he noted.
Youth Investment and ‘Uraan Pakistan’
The prime minister emphasized the importance of empowering youth, calling them the driving force behind the nation’s future.
“Any expenditure on the youth is not a cost, but an investment in Pakistan’s future,” he said.
Recalling his time as Punjab Chief Minister, he mentioned launching merit-based scholarship programmes to support deserving students in remote and underdeveloped regions.
Climate Change and Global Responsibility
Discussing the 2022 floods, PM Sharif said climate change caused an estimated $30 billion in economic damage, despite Pakistan’s negligible contribution to global emissions.
He urged the global community to recognize the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable countries like Pakistan.
India-Pakistan Tensions and National Defence
In response to a student question, the prime minister alleged unprovoked Indian aggression in May related to the Pahalgam incident, resulting in the deaths of 55 Pakistani citizens.
“We proposed an impartial international investigation, but India refused to respond,” he said.
PM Sharif claimed that in self-defence, Pakistan downed six Indian aircraft, and responded with full military force on May 9 and 10. He praised the professionalism and bravery of Pakistan’s armed forces, declaring that Pakistan had won the conventional war.
He also reiterated that Pakistan’s nuclear programme is strictly for peaceful and defensive purposes.
Looking Ahead
Concluding his address, the prime minister expressed optimism about the future and encouraged students to serve the nation with dedication and integrity.
“We face a long and thorny journey, but we will not shy away from our responsibilities. Performance is the name of the game,” he said.
He extended his best wishes to the students and expressed hope that initiatives like Uraan Pakistan will empower a new generation of leaders committed to the country’s progress.
