Environment to be made conducive for business: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday emphasised the government’s commitment to bolstering investment in the country, underscoring efforts to create a business-friendly environment for traders and investors.

He made these remarks while chairing a meeting at the PM House focused on enhancing investment and the operational capacity of the federal ministries. During the session, the prime minister instructed relevant authorities to establish a steering committee dedicated to monitoring progress in these areas, with himself presiding over its proceedings. This initiative aims to streamline efforts and ensure effective implementation of policies aimed at fostering economic growth.

The meeting highlighted that the Public Private Partnership Authority had engaged the services of Kearney, a renowned consultancy firm with global expertise, particularly in the Middle East. Kearney presented their ongoing consultation strategy with the Pakistani government, having already engaged with 15 federal institutions and identified 97 priority projects.

Kearney outlined its commitment to developing a comprehensive plan for sustainable development in collaboration with the Pakistani government. They also pledged support for privatising State Owned Enterprises (SOEs), enhancing the regulatory framework for public sector enterprises, and attracting more investors to Pakistan.

Key attendees at the meeting included Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Division Ahad Khan Cheema, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, and Minister of State for Finance Ali Pervaiz Malik, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Jehanzeb Khan, PM’s Coordinator Rana Ihsan Afzal, and other senior officials.

This concerted effort reflects the government’s proactive stance towards economic revitalisation and capacity building across federal ministries, aiming to pave the way for sustained growth and development in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vehemently condemned the Israeli forces’ violent attack on Khan Younis in Gaza, describing it as an inhumane act, particularly following the evacuation of refugees.

The prime minister, in a statement issued by PM Office, described the aggressive attack on the Khan Younis area of Gaza shortly after the instructions to the unarmed Palestinian refugees to evacuate as a mockery of humanity.

The prime minister stated that it had become clear that the Israeli forces had been pursuing a genocidal agenda against Palestinians, noting that unarmed Palestinians had been denied the opportunity to evacuate.

The prime minister emphasised that the Pakistani nation stands in solidarity with its Palestinian brothers and sisters. He called upon the United Nations to fulfill its responsibility in addressing the issue of Palestine.