Day: June 15, 2024

Former Chairman of Council of Islamic Ideology, Dr Qibla Ayaz has been appointed as an ad-hoc member of the Shariat Appellate Bench of the Supreme Court. Dr Qibla will serve on the bench for a period of three years.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif says the government has successfully achieved tangible results on economic front during its first hundred days. In a televised address to the nation on completion of one hundred days of government this evening, he said prudent policies have yielded positive results and now economy is stabilizing gradually. Shehbaz Sharif underscored that the national economy is steadily improving, attributing this positive trend to the government's policies. He noted that all economic indicators are on a positive trajectory. The Prime Minister said significant reduction in prices of petroleum products will provide relief to people. The Prime Minister pointed out that the inflation rate, which stood at thirty-eight percent a few months ago, has now decreased to twelve percent. He also mentioned a reduction in the interest rate to twenty point five percent. He emphasized that these declines in inflation and the policy rate will encourage investment and stimulate business activities ac ross the country. The Prime Minister announced that friendly countries of Pakistan have pledged to invest billions of dollars in the country. He assured that the government will facilitate these investments through Special Investment Facilitation Council focusing on agriculture, energy, and other sectors. He said a ministerial committee has been formed to oversee the privatization of loss-making state-owned enterprises. Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that the digitization of the Federal Board of Revenue will save billions of rupees for the national exchequer. The Prime Minister further highlighted reduction of over ten rupees per unit in electricity tariff for the industrial sector. He praised overseas Pakistanis for sending three billion dollars in remittances last month, endorsing their confidence in the government's policies. Regarding long-term economic plans, he stated, we have begun implementing our economic agenda for the next five years and are committed to maintaining the success of our economic str ategies. Shehbaz Sharif said that the private sector would be encouraged to establish new industrial units. He extended felicitation to the Pakistani nation and the Muslim Ummah on the auspicious occasion of Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha. The Prime Minister condemned the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza, describing it as unprecedented in human history. He expressed sorrow over the loss of thousands of innocent lives, including children, and prayed for the freedom of illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is being observed to highlight the necessity of protecting and supporting older individuals during emergencies, such as natural disasters, pandemics, and conflicts. The theme of this year is "Spotlight on Older Persons in Emergencies".

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says the implementation of E-Office can save billions of rupees of national exchequer. Chairing an important review meeting regarding the transfer of federal government ministries and institutions to E-Office in Islamabad today, he said minimizing the use of paper will also have a positive impact on the environment. The Prime Minister said the main purpose of using E-Office is to provide the best services to the public and to bring transparency in the government system. He directed to expedite progress on cooperation agreement with Chinese company Huawei. The meeting was briefed about the E-Office system and the progress on its implementation and reforms.

Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Ali Pervaiz Malik has said that the Federal Government has extended maximum relief to poor people in the budget 2024-25 despite limited resources. Talking to private news channel, the Minister said that taxes have not changed, rather a noose has been tightened around non-filers to bring them into the tax net. Ali Malik said the finance minister, in his budget speech, had stressed the need for reforms in the home-grown economic programme. Highlighting the key features of the federal budget, the minister said the jump in the stock market is the result of prudent economic policies introduced by the government.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has appreciated gallantry and services of the Frontier Constabulary in fight against terrorism. During a visit of Frontier Constabulary Headquarter in Peshawar today, he lauded sacrifices rendered by the personnel of FC to purge the province the scourge of terrorism. He highlighted that FC has rendered invaluable services towards maintaining peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Interior Minister also examined the statue of Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister who stayed at Shabqadar fort rest house in 1913.

Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja has said that the government is committed for digitalization and transforming Pakistan into Digital economy. She was talking to Global System for Mobile Communications Association's Head of Asia Pacific Julian Gorman who called on her in Islamabad. During the meeting matters related to digital transformation, and upcoming GSMA Digital Nation Summit were discussed. The State Minister said Ministry of IT will play pivotal role in GSMA Digital Nation Summit. She said that Ministry of IT and Telecom will extend full support and facilitation regarding GSMA Digital Nation Summit to be held on August 7 in Islamabad. Speaking on the occasion, Julian Gorman assured full support to the government of Pakistan in their digitization journey.