ISLAMABAD: A day after taking the oath of office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday summoned an urgent meeting of economic experts to discuss the current financial challenges facing the nation.
Shehbaz was elected the 23rd prime minister of Pakistan on Monday after his predecessor, Imran Khan, was removed from office through a no-confidence vote on Sunday.
Assuming his responsibilities, the prime minister presided over a meeting attended by prominent economists and deliberated on ways and means to find a solution for the country’s financial stability.
Sharif was given a briefing on the data on the national balance sheet and fiscal deficits.
Important decisions were expected to be taken in line with the recommendations of the experts.
He assumed his responsibilities at the Prime Minister’s Office at 8:00 am — much earlier than the Ramazan working hours of 10:00 am — and said he did not want to waste an iota of time without serving the masses, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan.
He termed diligence, honesty, and transparency as his guiding principles and said serving the people of Pakistan was his topmost priority.
During an interaction with his staff, the prime minister directed the officials to get into action for robust performance.
He ordered a single weekly off for public departments instead of the earlier two days. Also, public offices would from now onwards open at 8:00 am.
Soon after assuming office, Sharif issued directives to ensure relief for the masses, including the provision of low-cost edible items at sasta bazaars, and also stressed its strict monitoring.
He said he would not tolerate any irresponsibility in ensuring the provision of inexpensive commodities to the general public.
The prime minister also ordered the officials concerned to ensure early implementation of his decisions announced in the National Assembly on Monday regarding the 10 percent increase in pensions and fixing the minimum wages at Rs25,000.
CABINET IN NEXT 24 HOURS
The consultative talks have entered the final stage between the newly formed government of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and members of the ruling coalition for the formation of the federal cabinet.
The matter of cabinet formation would be completed during the next 24 hours. In the first stage, 20-25 full and state ministers would take the oath of their respective offices.
Ministries of information, defence, finance and interior are expected to go to the PML-N. While six ministries, including the foreign ministry, would be offered to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
The PML-N wants PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to become the foreign minister. However, Sherry Rehman and Hina Rabbani Khar could also be the possible choice for the portfolio.
They said that the Senate members of the allied parties would also be offered ministries.
The leaders of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) would also get ministries.
From the PML-N, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Khurram Dastgir Khan, Rana Sanaullah and Khawaja Asif will get portfolios.
The independents who supported the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) alliance in the no-confidence motion would also be given ministries.
Sources said the government was also mulling governors’ replacements in Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan.
