Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif categorically stated on Wednesday that Pakistan will not tolerate any kind of terrorism from across the border.
Chairing the federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad, he said security of geographical frontiers of Pakistan are a redline.
PM Shehbaz said Pakistan desires to have cordial relations with the neighboring fraternal country to promote trade and economic relations.
“However, it is not acceptable that the land of the neighboring country is used for terrorism,” he said.
PM Shehbaz proposed the formulation of a joint strategy with the sincerity of purpose to defeat the scourge of terrorism.
“Collective efforts against terrorism will help establish peace in the region and address other issues such as that of poverty,” he said, expressing the confidence that the neighboring country will seriously consider his proposal and work with Pakistan to make the region abode of peace.
Highlighting the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in the war on terrorism, PM Shehbaz reaffirmed the commitment to wipe out the menace of terrorism as was done previously.
The prime minister paid glowing tributes to the sacrifices of the security forces and their families.
Turning to the economic situation, PM Shehbaz said that said the country is compelled to secure another International Monetary Fund (IMF) package.
He however affirmed the commitment to revive the economy and help it stand on its own feet.
“We have taken a conscious decision to minimize borrowing and gradually rid the country of loans,” PM Shehbaz asserted.
He said that an enabling environment will be created to attract investments across various sectors including agriculture, industries, Information Technology and mines and minerals.
“Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) is serving as a robust platform to facilitate investment in the country,” the premier said.
Alluding to the pending tax cases worth Rs2400 billion, PM Shehbaz appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) to direct the courts to dispose of these cases at the earliest.
He also expressed the resolve to enhance the tax base and bring the potential sectors into the tax net.
PM Shehbaz said that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will be completely digitalized.
“For this purpose, the process of hiring consultants will be completed by the third or fourth week of April,” he said adding that the digitalization process will be supervised to ensure its early completion.
He said the services of honest and dedicated officers in the FBR will be duly recognized.
PM Shehbaz said that a committee has also been established to cut the expenditures of the government. He assured that its recommendations will be fully implemented.
He said that there will be zero tolerance to electricity and gas pilferage.
PM Shehbaz emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts amongst the federal and provincial governments to steer the country out of multifaceted challenges.
The premier expressed the confidence that the cabinet will live up to the confidence of the masses in terms of its performance and responsibility.
