PM says Pakistan overcame economic crisis through urgent reforms

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said Pakistan had overcome economic crises in the past through urgent reforms and stressed that sustained measures were needed to build a strong and self-reliant economy.

Addressing participants of the “Uraan Overseas Pakistan Summer Scholars Programme”, he said the six-week internship programme, organised by the Ministry of Planning and Development, would provide young Pakistani researchers from leading international universities an opportunity to contribute ideas on the country’s challenges.

He welcomed the decision of overseas Pakistani students to undertake internships in the country, saying young people had an important role in national development.

“Pakistani students and young people are making the country proud around the world today,” he added.

Responding to questions from the scholars about the government’s reform agenda, Sharif said measures were focused on digitising the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), increasing tax collection, improving the business environment, boosting productivity, developing agriculture, empowering youth, promoting renewable energy and ensuring sustainable economic growth.

He said improved enforcement had helped the FBR collect more than Rs800 billion in additional revenue during the last fiscal year.

“The aim of economic reforms is to lay the foundation for a strong, self-reliant and export-oriented economy,” he added.

The prime minister also spoke about Pakistan’s recent diplomatic and security developments, saying the country had, under the leadership of the Field Marshal Asim Munir and with national support, defeated India in May 2025.

He said Pakistan’s role in mediation efforts aimed at ending the war between the US and Iran represented a significant moment in the country’s diplomatic history.

He added that these efforts resulted in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, which he described as an important step towards global peace.

Sharif urged the scholars to use their education, research skills and international experience for Pakistan’s development.

The internees also shared suggestions for improving different sectors of the country.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026