‘Uraan Pakistan’ to be made successful with support of all stakeholders: PM

He expressed these views in a meeting with the delegation of Pakistan Broadcasters Association which called on him in Islamabad on Thursday.

The meeting was attended by Pakistan Broadcasters Association Chairman Mian Amer Mahmood, Mir Ibrahim Rehman, Naz Afreen Sehgal, Shakeel Masood, Nadeem Malik and Kazim Khan.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and top officials of the information ministry were also present on the occasion.

PM Shehbaz Sharif said that after attaining stability in the country’s economy, the government had resumed the journey of economic development and growth from where it was halted in 2018.

He said Pakistan witnessed a golden era of economic development under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif.

“The credit of significant decline in inflation and interest rate goes to the hard work by the government economic team,” said the prime minister. The prime minister said that the relationship between government and media was based on mutual trust.

He said that the government always welcomed constructive criticism by the media. “The government believes in media being the fourth pillar of the state,” the prime minister said adding that there was complete freedom of expression in the country.

He expressed the confidence that ‘Uraan Pakistan’ project will be made successful with the cooperation of media and all other relevant stakeholders.

Talking about the performance of FBR, the prime minister said the digital reforms are being introduced by the department. “The reforms will help increase tax revenues, enhance transparency and stop corruption,” said the prime minister.

CPF a pathway to economic stability

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed that the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) a pathway to economic stability, reiterating commitment to implementation it.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addressed the launching ceremony of World Bank’s Country Partnership Framework for Pakistan on Thursday and termed the CPF of the World Bank as a landmark initiative forged through decade-long strategic cooperation to boost employment opportunities, IT-led initiatives and climate resilience ensuring economic stability.

The prime minister described the landmark US$20 billion Country Partnership Framework (CPF) which is a transformative initiative marking the longest-ever development partnership between Pakistan and the global financial institution. The strategic collaboration aims to address Pakistan’s pressing economic and developmental challenges while fostering growth, climate resilience, and technological advancement.

The prime minister underscored that the World Bank had supported Pakistan through various pivotal projects, ranging from hydropower and water management to transformative economic reforms.

He expressed gratitude to the World Bank team for their leadership in shaping the framework, describing it as a timely intervention to overcome Pakistan’s immense challenges.

The prime minister highlighted the progress in digitizing the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), introducing a pilot project at Karachi Port to reduce collusion between importers and customs officials. The initiative, which features faceless interactions, aims to increase inland revenue while curbing corruption, he added.

“These funds will be channeled into social protection projects for Pakistan’s most vulnerable populations,” he explained.

PM Shehbaz assured the government’s all-out commitment to implementing the CPF, urging unity among politicians, experts and bureaucrats to achieve the framework’s ambitious targets.

“The (World Bank’s) vice president’s presence here demonstrates the World Bank’s confidence in Pakistan’s evolving system, which is taking bold, overdue steps toward vibrancy and functionality,” he remarked.

The prime minister extended his vote of thanks to the World Bank Vice President in German language and underscored Pakistan’s readiness for a new era of development, with an emphasis on public-private partnerships and sustainable growth under the CPF.

World Bank Vice President for South Asia Region Martin Raiser praised Pakistan’s recent economic reforms and reiterated the institution’s commitment to the partnership.

“The CPF will anchor the economic stability needed for Pakistan and the region,” he said, commending the prime minister’s leadership and urging continued collaboration to ensure the program’s success.

Economic Affairs Division Minister Ahad Khan Cheema also emphasized the CPF’s scope, noting its $20 billion investment in health, education, climate resilience, and rehabilitation projects following the devastating 2022 floods.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Attaullah Tarar, Owais Khan Leghari, Musadik Masood Malik, Romina Khurshid Alam, Abdul Aleem Khan and others were also present on the occasion.