Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif presided over the Federal Cabinet meeting in Islamabad today and said the government is committed to economic reforms to address current challenges. He cited positive reports from international financial institutions and journals as evidence of the government’s prudent policies. The Prime Minister also highlighted that IT exports, foreign remittances, and overall exports have increased under the current government, and foreign investment from friendly countries is rising.

The government, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, is actively working to combat electricity theft and reduce prices. The Prime Minister, however, stressed that in the interest of the country, tough decisions need to be made and protected. He also strongly denounced the Track and Trace System introduced in 2019 as a complete fraud, affirming that those responsible for the economic loss would face severe consequences.

Furthermore, the Federal Cabinet, in a significant move, approved the establishment of an additional special court in Makran Division. This court, which will handle narcotics cases in Balochistan province, will have jurisdiction over several districts. The Cabinet also directed efforts towards enhancing the effectiveness of the prosecution process. In another development, the Cabinet approved the extension of Proof of Registration (POR) cards for Afghan refugees until June 30th this year. This extension will enable cardholders to continue benefiting from various facilities in Pakistan, including access to schools and bank accounts.

The Cabinet was also briefed about the progress on privatizing PIA and directed the authorities to ensure transparency. The meeting also discussed measures to improve airport facilities nationwide, especially in Lahore and Karachi. The Cabinet was told that consultation with all stakeholders is in the final stage regarding the use of drone technology in the agriculture sector.