ISLAMABAD: The Special Apex Committee was Thursday (21st March, 2024) briefed about the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) initiative and major contributions made by it towards the investments, privatization and overall micro-economic stabilization of the country.
Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) convened the Special Apex Committee Meeting here.
It was chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and attended by former Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar Ul Haq Kakar, Chief of the Army Staff, members of outgoing and incoming Federal Cabinet and Provincial Chief Ministers besides, high level government officials.
The meeting was conducted with a singular focus of briefing the Cabinet in the presence of the Caretaker Cabinet, marking a historic moment of seamless transition.
The Committee admired the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for envisioning and launching the SIFC in June 2023, which has now moved from its formative phase and evolved progressively under the Caretaker Government.
The committee underscored the need of continuing a consensual approach under SIFC to navigate the myriad of challenges being faced by the Country.
The Committee also vowed to ensure continuation of policies and take tough decisions in the larger interest of the country by setting correct economic priorities.
The former Caretaker Prime Minister congratulated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Cabinet and Chief Ministers on assuming their responsibilities and wished good luck for dealing with economic challenges and transforming Pakistan as one of the top economies of the world.
The Chief of Army Staff reassured the fullest support of Pakistan Armed Forces to backstop the economic initiatives of the Government and ensured the provision of safe, secure and conducive environment to nurture country’s true economic potential.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that SIFC is the way forward under the challenging times and an iron resolve is needed to serve the country like never before.
He urged the Federal Cabinet to join hands, keep political differences aside, and work as a cohesive team to keep the momentum of economic stability.
He also thanked the caretaker government for continuation of larger national economic agenda in a befitting manner.
Radio Pakistan Adds: The apex committee of Special Investment Facilitation Council has vowed to ensure continuation of policies and take tough decisions in the larger interest of the country by setting correct economic priorities.
The meeting was briefed about the SIFC initiative and major contributions made towards investments, privatization and overall micro-economic stabilization of the country.
The Committee underscored the need for continuing a consensual approach under SIFC to overcome the challenges being faced by the country.
It admired the leadership of Prime Minister for envisioning and launching the SIFC last year, which evolved progressively under the caretaker setup.
Addressing the forum, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said deep rooted structural reforms are inevitable to ensure macroeconomic stability in the country.
He underscored the need to introduce structural reforms, including digitalization in the Federal Board of Revenue, to bridge the gap between receipts and expenditure. He said 1350 billion rupees can be saved by addressing such challenges.
Shehbaz Sharif said the federal government cannot handle these challenges without the cooperation of provinces. He expressed the belief that the federal and the provincial governments have the capacity to deal with these difficulties and challenges with unity and resolve.
He urged the Federal Cabinet to keep political differences aside, and work as a cohesive team to keep the momentum of economic stability.
The Prime Minister further said the burden of tough decisions should be on those segments of society which have strength to bear it. He said the poor man is already suffering from poverty and the government will have to protect him.
He commended the outgoing caretaker government for continuing larger national economic agenda in a befitting manner.
On the occasion, Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir reassured the fullest support of Pakistan Armed Forces to backstop the economic initiatives of the government and ensure the provision of safe, secure and conducive environment to nurture country’s true economic potential.
The meeting was attended by former Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar Ul Haq Kakar, Chief of the Army Staff, members of outgoing and incoming Federal Cabinet and Provincial Chief Ministers and senior government officials.
Newspakistan.tv/APP/Radio Pakistan