ISLAMABAD, July 18, 2023: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said the next government should focus on the “Economic Revival Plan.”
Addressing the foundation stone laying ceremony of the model Special Economic Zone (SEZ), PM Shehbaz said: “The International Monetary Fund (IMF) increased pressure on us. It is much appreciated that friendly countries have supported Pakistan.”
“We informed the friendly countries that hopefully Pakistan will not need to ask them for loans again,” the premier added.
“In the past, the SEZ has received absolutely no investment. It is imperative to hand over the the industrial zones to the business community on lease,” the premier added.
“Who will be willing to invest, the premier argued, if the government keeps raising the price of the lands? The concept of leasing the lands will hasten the growth of the nation,” the premier maintained.
The prime minister showed confidence in overtaking the neighbouring country’s economy.
– Faltering economy –
Earlier, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) led government had spent half its term trying to revive the faltering economy of the country.
Iqbal said: “The coalition government has made every effort to complete the unfinished development projects”.
He took a swipe at the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), saying, “All the development initiatives were undermined during the PTI’s tenure. The country had to deal with a crisis in the decision-making process as a result”.
Iqbal continued: “The previous administration only focused on making cases against the political rivals.”