ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the government’s commitment to economic revitalisation through initiatives such as the digitisation of the economy, including the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and the privatisation of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).
During a meeting with a delegation led by British educationist and former Head of the British Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit, Sir Michael Bayldon Barber, the Prime Minister highlighted the strengthening ties between Pakistan and the UK over the decades. He expressed Pakistan’s appreciation for the UK’s assistance across various sectors, underscoring their valued partnership.
Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the government’s determination to bolster bilateral relations and informed the delegation about efforts to streamline and phase out underperforming entities to reduce expenditures. He also outlined measures aimed at enhancing exports and expanding the tax base, citing significant potential in IT and agriculture-related exports.
The delegation was briefed on the establishment of a task management system to monitor federal ministries’ performance. Sir Michael Barber praised Pakistan’s economic reform agenda, noting it was moving in a positive direction.
He expressed confidence that under the Prime Minister’s leadership, Pakistan would soon overcome economic challenges and assured continued cooperation from the UK across all sectors.
The meeting was attended by federal ministers Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister of State Shaza Fatima Khawaja, PM’s Coordinator Rana Ehsan Afzal, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Jahanzeb Khan, and other senior officials.
