ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan’s brave forces are always ready to repel the enemy, and the entire nation stands with them against any Indian aggression.
A delegation of the Pakistan People’s Party led by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif here on Monday. During the meeting, Bilawal reaffirmed that all political parties of the country stand united and resolute alongside the brave security forces for the defence of the motherland.
The meeting also discussed matters about the federal budget, in which the PPP delegation gave their suggestions for the federal budget 2025-26, and the prime minister assured of prioritising consultations in all matters. This is the first round of consultations by the government with allies on the federal budget. The PPP delegation lauded the diplomatic efforts of the federal government for exposing India’s war intentions before the world. The meeting also discussed the handing over of electricity distribution companies to the provinces and decided to do it within two months. The PPP delegation expressed confidence in the government’s reforms in the energy sector.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan’s brave forces are always ready to thwart the enemy, and the entire nation stands with them against any Indian aggression. He said Pakistan wants peace and stability in the region, but is capable of giving a befitting response for its defence. The prime minister said India’s provocative behaviour since the Pahalgam incident is extremely regrettable. He said Pakistan not only expressed concern over the Pahalgam incident but also called for an impartial and independent investigation into the incident. He said we categorically reject Indian efforts to link Pakistan to the incident without any evidence.
Shehbaz Sharif said India’s illegal suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and its use as water aggression is unacceptable. He said Pakistan is making vigorous diplomatic efforts to expose Indian aggression and will raise the issue vigorously at the UN Security Council, to show the world the ugly face of India and its malicious intentions.
The PPP delegation included Raja Pervez Ashraf, Naveed Qamar, Governor KP Faisal Karim Kundi, Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah, Chief Minister Balochistan Sarfraz Bugti and Senator Saleem Mandviwala. While Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ahsan Iqbal, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Attaullah Tarar, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Rana Mubashir Iqbal, Advisor to Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah, Dr. Tauqir Shah, Minister of State Abdul Rehman Kanju, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Talha Burki were also present at the meeting.
During a high-level meeting at the FBR, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to accelerate actions against tax evasion, under-invoicing, and other irregularities across all sectors amid strict legal action against those involved in the sale and purchase of illegally manufactured cigarettes and other non-duty-paid goods.
The high-level meeting was chaired by the PM to review matters regarding the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), with a strong emphasis on removing obstacles in tax collection and reforming the taxation system, a Prime Minister’s Office news release said.
The prime minister said that proposed amendments in various clauses of the Income Tax Ordinance and Federal Excise Act were designed to eliminate hurdles in tax recovery, without affecting the rights of regular taxpayers and compliant businesses. These amendments aim to protect honest taxpayers and prevent unnecessary harassment of businesses and companies by FBR officials, the prime minister stated. He added that the reforms would simplify the tax payment process and help expand the tax net, ultimately reducing the burden on the common citizen.
During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed on the steps taken to curb tax evasion in various sectors. The FBR is currently implementing digital monitoring systems, including Track and Trace, to enhance transparency and compliance. The briefing highlighted that measures are actively being taken against tax evasion in industries such as tobacco, cement, poultry, sugar, beverages, and others. FBR has successfully identified irregularities through video monitoring in several sectors. Furthermore, provinces have now been empowered to seize illicit tobacco products. The meeting also noted that a monitoring system for the poultry industry is being established under FBR supervision. Federal Ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahsan Iqbal, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Chairman FBR, and senior officials attended the session.