ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi on Wednesday at the Chief Justice House, marking their first official interaction. Discussions focused on economic and security challenges, judicial reforms, and expediting tax-related cases.
Key Highlights of the Meeting:
- Judicial Reforms & Economic Matters:
- The PM requested the CJP’s intervention for timely decisions on long-pending tax cases to boost economic stability and enhance government revenue.
- The CJP sought the PM’s input on improving judicial efficiency and invited government suggestions for the upcoming National Judicial Policy Making Committee meeting.
- Bipartisan Support for Judicial Reforms:
- Justice Afridi emphasized the need for bipartisan consensus on judicial reforms and expressed his intent to engage the opposition for sustainable and impactful reforms.
- The PM assured full government cooperation and pledged support for measures addressing missing persons.
- IMF & Judiciary’s Role in Economic Reforms:
- The meeting followed a recent engagement between an IMF delegation and the CJP, where the IMF sought judicial assistance in ensuring financial discipline.
Economic Advisory Council Meeting:
- Economic Stability & Growth Initiatives:
- The Economic Advisory Council affirmed confidence in government policies and recommended strategies for sustained economic growth.
- The PM emphasized regional trade expansion, boosting exports, and IT sector growth.
- Key Economic Priorities:
- Industry, agriculture, IT development, and job creation were reaffirmed as government priorities.
- Plans for green data centers, telecom expansion, and freelancer support were discussed.
- Consultations on digital currency regulations are ongoing to align Pakistan with global financial trends.
PM’s Engagements on Investment & Social Welfare:
- Bahrain-Pakistan Business Relations:
- The PM invited Bahraini investors to explore business opportunities in Pakistan, emphasizing trade and economic collaboration.
- Ramazan Relief Package Proposal:
- The federal government plans to launch the largest-ever Ramazan Relief Package, proposing:
- Rs5,000 financial assistance for 3.9 million families.
- A total budget of Rs20.5 billion, with funding from the Finance Ministry, BISP, and the Ministry of Industry.
- The federal government plans to launch the largest-ever Ramazan Relief Package, proposing:
- Social Justice Commitment:
- In his International Day of Social Justice message, the PM stressed breaking inequality barriers, ensuring access to basic human rights, education, and healthcare.
Outlook:
The government’s focus on judicial efficiency, economic revival, and social relief programs signals a multi-pronged strategy to stabilize the country. With IMF negotiations approaching, judicial cooperation in tax-related cases could play a key role in meeting revenue targets and strengthening economic confidence.
