LAHORE: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the necessity of implementing significant structural and economic reforms to steer the country out of its current crises.
The Prime Minister expressed these views during a meeting with office-bearers of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as renowned businessmen and industrialists in Lahore on Saturday evening.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged the industrialists and business community to actively contribute to enhancing exports and stabilizing the economy. He emphasized that it is the collective responsibility of the government, business community, and affluent individuals to address the challenges faced by the poverty-stricken and impoverished segments of society.
Sharing his telephonic conversation with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, PM Shehbaz said that the IMF official expressed her reservations about the mistrust created in the past. He said that strong collaboration and mutual trust had now been established between Pakistan and the IMF. He mentioned that the country has successfully avoided default, and its foreign exchange reserves have reached up to fourteen billion dollars.
Pakistan-IMF Agreement
During his telephonic conversation with the Managing Director of IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, PM Shehbaz Sharif said that his government remains committed to the IMF agreement, emphasizing that even the slightest violation of the agreement will not be tolerated. He assured that if elected again, his government would work towards turning around the economy with the support of the IMF. The Prime Minister appreciated the sentiments expressed by the Managing Director of the IMF regarding the welfare of the poor.
Kristalina Georgieva, the MD IMF, acknowledged the establishment of a strong partnership and mutual trust between Pakistan and the IMF. She expressed confidence that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would fulfill the promises made, and the IMF would continue to provide support to Pakistan as an important member. The Managing Director also expressed her desire to maintain close contact with the Prime Minister.
