Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed a federal cabinet meeting on Wednesday, emphasizing the government’s commitment to economic stability and growth.

The PM expressed optimism, stating that the country’s economy has stabilized and is now ready for a "takeoff". He stressed the importance of increasing exports to drive development and lauded the improvement in economic indicators over the past nine months.

“Today, even the common man acknowledges the economic progress in nine months,” said Shehbaz Sharif, adding that no scandals have surfaced during his government’s tenure. However, he criticised political sit-ins for hampering economic progress and admitted that targets set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) could not be achieved.

He emphasized the importance of the recently launched Uran Pakistan program, which he said would strengthen the country’s economy further. "If Pakistan's economic development is the goal, we will have to play an important role towards it," PM Shehbaz remarked, adding that stability would be brought to the economy and all priorities focused at this goal.

Key highlights from cabinet meeting:

- The government achieved revenue of Rs72 billion in December, indicating excellent performance. "Businessmen got 89% relief," the PM told the meeting.
- Remittances reached $15 billion in the current fiscal year, with a projected target of $35 billion if the trend continues.
- The PM reiterated that increasing exports is vital for sustainable development.
- PM Shehbaz credited the army chief for significant progress in curbing sugar smuggling.
- He acknowledged the sacrifices of Pakistan Army personnel in countering terrorism and ensuring national security. "Significant results have also been achieved in preventing smuggling," he added.
- All ministries have been directed to adopt e-governance and modern technologies to enhance efficiency.
- The PM stressed the importance of transforming Gwadar into a hub for transit trade and directed ministries to present details of public sector imports from the port over the past three months.
- Shehbaz said the Afghan government had released hundreds of criminals from jails as soon as it took power.

Approvals

Legislation on amendments to Section 3(7) of the PTA Reorganization Act.
Approval of rules for appointing Information Group officers as press officers in diplomatic missions.
Approval of registration of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Thatta.
Formation of a committee to determine the prices of life-saving medical devices.
Submission of the National Food Safety, Animal, and Plant Health Authority Bill to parliament.
Ratification of decisions of the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases meeting held on December 17.
The cabinet postponed ratification of amendments to the Citizenship Act.
Cabinet ratified decisions taken in the meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee on December 18.
Meeting also ratified decisions taken in the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises on December 24.

Diplomatic success

Briefing the cabinet, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan's two-year term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council has begun from Wednesday, which the participants lauded.

As the meeting concluded, PM Shahbaz Sharif prayed for the prosperity of Pakistan in the new year and expressed hope that 2025 would be a year of happiness and progress for the nation.