Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with a delegation from the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) at the Prime Minister’s Office to discuss the media’s crucial role in governance and national development.
The Prime Minister emphasized the strong, trust-based relationship between the government and the media, highlighting that constructive criticism from the media is vital for improving governance. He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring freedom of expression and underscored the media’s position as the fourth pillar of the state.
Discussing the government’s vision for development, the Prime Minister shared that the “Uraan Pakistan” initiative—a locally developed national progress plan—will succeed with the support of the media and other stakeholders.
PM Shehbaz remarked that Pakistan’s economic growth has resumed from where it was interrupted in 2018. “Under Nawaz Sharif’s leadership, Pakistan experienced a golden era of development. Today, with his guidance, the path to progress has been reignited,” he said. He also expressed gratitude to friendly nations for their support, which helped Pakistan avoid default and move toward economic stability. He credited the efforts of the economic team for reducing inflation and interest rates, while boosting exports, industrial growth, and agriculture.
On governance reforms, the Prime Minister highlighted digitalization efforts within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and initiatives like faceless customs assessments, which are increasing transparency, reducing corruption, and improving revenue collection.
The delegation praised the government’s efforts to tackle the smuggling of essential commodities such as petroleum, sugar, fertilizer, and wheat, benefiting the national economy. The Prime Minister also pointed out the growing trust of overseas Pakistanis in government policies, reflected in the rise in remittances.
Addressing foreign relations, PM Shehbaz emphasized that Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts have strengthened ties with friendly nations and improved the country’s global standing. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to eradicating terrorism, with the armed forces and citizens united in this mission.
Regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Prime Minister noted that its benefits are becoming increasingly evident, and the government is focused on completing ongoing projects as soon as possible.
The delegation expressed appreciation for the Prime Minister’s efforts to negotiate energy sector reforms and reduce electricity prices. They also stressed the importance of political stability in the country, urging the government to play a constructive role in this regard.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, senior officials from the Ministry of Information, and PBA members, including Chairman Mian Aamir Mehmood, Mir Ibrahim, Naz Afrin Sehgal, Sultan Lakhani, Salman Iqbal, Shakeel Masood, Nadeem Malik, and Kazim Khan.
