Pakistan’s Prime Minister Touts Economic Turnaround Ahead of New Budget
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared Tuesday that the country’s economy has begun to stabilize, crediting the government’s fiscal strategy, public determination, and cooperation from key sectors. The statement came during a cabinet meeting held in Islamabad ahead of the approval of the 2025–26 budget.
“The nation went through tough times, but now the economy is showing signs of improvement,” Sharif said, pointing to gains achieved over the past 15 months. He emphasized that earlier economic hardship was being reversed through “collective sacrifices and prudent policy decisions.”
This holiday season, give to:
Truth and understanding
The Media Line's intrepid correspondents are in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Pakistan providing first-person reporting.
They all said they cover it.
We see it.
We report with just one agenda: the truth.
Sharif argued that Pakistan’s economic indicators—long under pressure due to inflation, high debt, and currency instability—now offer a foundation for growth. He noted an uptick in exports and foreign remittances, particularly from the information technology sector, which he described as having “strong growth” and untapped potential.
He also acknowledged that salaried workers have carried an outsized tax burden in past budgets, and implied that future fiscal policies would aim for a more balanced approach. “Pakistan is ready to take off,” he said.
The cabinet meeting was part of the lead-up to the 2025–26 budget, which comes at a sensitive moment as the country seeks further support from the International Monetary Fund and aims to attract foreign investment. Sharif praised Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and his economic team for crafting the new fiscal blueprint, saying he is confident in their ability to push reforms forward.
