Prime Minister Archives

PM approves new auto policy 2026-31 in principle

September 9, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has given in-principle approval to Pakistan’s new Auto Policy 2026-31, which will be shared with the International Monetary Fund before being submitted to the Economic Coordination Committee for approval, according to government sources.

The draft policy was discussed at a meeting chaired by Sharif. After IMF approval, the policy will be presented to the ECC and then the federal Cabinet. Following Cabinet approval, it will be submitted to Parliament.

The policy aims to create a favorable environment for investment in the local automotive industry, increase vehicle exports and domestic production, and promote advanced technologies.

Under the draft, the government has proposed reducing taxes on imported hybrid vehicles by 20% over the next five years. Import duties on hybrid vehicles with engine capacities of up to 800cc and between 851cc and 1,000cc could be reduced from 50% to 30%.

The draft also proposes gradually reducing duties on hybrid vehicles with engine capacities above 1,800cc. Duties on vehicles above 1,801cc could fall from 50% to 30% over five years, while duties on hybrid vehicles between 1,501cc and 1,800cc are also proposed to be reduced from 50% to 30%.

The government is also considering lower duties on hybrid commercial vehicles. Proposed reductions include cutting duties on hybrid trucks from 30% to 15%, hybrid commercial vehicles from 60% to 30% and hybrid buses from 30% to 15%.

To generate additional revenue, the draft proposes an environmental levy on larger vehicles. The revenue would be allocated toward promoting exports and research and development in the automotive sector.

Under the proposal, vehicles with engine capacities of 2,001cc to 3,000cc would face a 10% environmental levy, while vehicles of 3,001cc and above could be subject to a 19.5% levy. The proposed levy is estimated to generate Rs142.79 billion over five years.

Implementation of the new auto policy will begin after approval by the IMF, the ECC and the federal Cabinet.

Singapore Prime Minister’s salary to rise by more than $1m

September 8, 2026 by World Desk

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s government has announced salary increases for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and other Cabinet ministers and senior officials.

Wong, who is already the world’s highest-paid political leader, will receive an additional 1.4 million Singapore dollars, or about $1.1 million, in annual compensation.

Wong said he would donate the entire increase to charity over the next five years.

He said higher salaries were necessary to attract talented people to public service. Singapore’s government has previously argued that competitive salaries for ministers can help reduce the risk of corruption by making public office less financially vulnerable to improper incentives.

Before the latest increase, Wong receives about 2.2 million Singapore dollars a year. His annual compensation will rise to approximately 3.6 million Singapore dollars, equivalent to about $2.8 million.

The salary adjustment places Wong well ahead of other highly paid political leaders. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee earns about $719,000 annually, while Swiss President Guy Parmelin receives about $606,000.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s annual presidential salary is $400,000, while British Prime Minister Andy Burnham earns about $230,000 a year.

The salary changes are part of Singapore’s broader review of compensation for political officeholders and senior public officials, aimed at keeping public-sector pay competitive while maintaining standards of integrity and governance.

PM Shehbaz directs timely completion of FBR reform measures

August 28, 2026 by Business Desk

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed authorities to complete all measures under the Federal Board of Revenue’s reform program within the stipulated timelines and ensure third-party audits of the process.

PM chaired a weekly review meeting on FBR reforms in Islamabad, where he was briefed on the restructuring of Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL), tax system digitalization and measures to curb smuggling.

The prime minister said reforms were being implemented to support the country’s economic development, emphasizing digitalization, production monitoring and automation as key pillars of the FBR reform program.

He directed authorities to intensify action against tax evasion, smuggling and illegal businesses. Sharif also welcomed the appointment of reputed goods evaluators in the FBR and praised the FBR chairman and his team for their efforts.

Officials briefed the meeting that work was underway on IRIS 3.0, a new tax operating model and a central data hub to make the tax system more modern, integrated and data-driven. International consultants have been engaged to design IRIS 3.0.

The meeting was told that new senior leadership had been appointed at PRAL in technology, data security, operations and tax-related fields. Work is also progressing on piloting automated taxation and using artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve tax collection in the future.

In the customs sector, officials said average revenue per goods declaration increased by 12% from January through June 2026 following the introduction of faceless assessment. The system has also improved the identification and monitoring of irregularities in imports.

The recruitment of 280 goods evaluators is in its final stages, while work is underway to establish a Central Assessment Unit in Islamabad. The unit is expected to become operational under an interim arrangement by Dec. 31, 2026, with a fully integrated facility targeted for completion by June 2027.

Officials said transactions processed through digital invoicing rose from 236 billion rupees in July 2025 to more than 2.5 trillion rupees in July 2026. The government has set a target of 4 trillion rupees in digital invoicing transactions by December 2026.

Regarding efforts to curb smuggling, the meeting was informed that GIS tagging of legal petrol stations, GPS tracking of petroleum products, linking oil marketing companies’ ERP systems with tracking mechanisms and a centralized tracking application for law enforcement agencies had been completed.

Officials said 2,500 illegal petrol stations had been shut down and legal action initiated against them through the Rah-Guzar app.

Sharif directed authorities to accelerate implementation of reforms aimed at modernizing the tax system, increasing revenue collection and eliminating smuggling. He also stressed transparency, effectiveness and sustainability through third-party audits.

PM Shehbaz proposes grand dialogue to resolve Balochistan’s issues

August 21, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has proposed a grand dialogue to address the issues facing Balochistan, saying dialogue, consultation and fair distribution of resources are essential for resolving the province’s challenges.

Addressing participants of the Balochistan National Workshop, Sharif said the purpose of dialogue was to listen to the concerns of the Baloch people and find solutions through mutual consultation.

He said the people of Balochistan had the first right to the province’s resources and stressed that Pakistan could progress only when all four provinces moved forward together.

“If there are problems and challenges, they should be resolved through dialogue,” the prime minister said, adding that consultation and equitable distribution of resources were the best ways to address grievances.

Sharif said no one could take up arms in the name of resolving problems. He alleged that hostile countries were behind terrorism in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The prime minister also spoke about the construction of the N-25 highway from Karachi to Chaman, saying the government was working on the project in cooperation with Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. He expressed concern over attacks on workers involved in development projects.

He said workers operating in mountainous areas were contributing to Balochistan’s prosperity and should be protected.

Referring to the recent conflict, Sharif said the entire nation had remained united. He also described the Gwadar airport as a gift from China to Pakistan.

PM orders comprehensive performance review of federal ministries

August 3, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered a comprehensive review of the performance of federal ministries and divisions, directing them to submit detailed reports on their achievements since February 2024.

According to an official communication from the Prime Minister’s Office, all ministries have been instructed to provide performance reports in a prescribed format, outlining key initiatives, achievements and progress made during the period.

Officials said the ministries must also detail progress on governance reforms, improvements in public service delivery and the extent to which they have met their targets.

The review will cover 18 ministries related to the economy and finance, 14 ministries responsible for law, security and administrative affairs, and nine ministries overseeing social services, including health and education.

The directive requires ministries to provide measurable outcomes, project completion dates and details of completed initiatives.

They must also report on delayed projects, explain the reasons for delays and identify obstacles affecting implementation.

The Prime Minister’s Office has instructed ministries to support every performance claim with documentary or other verifiable evidence, warning that unsupported claims and incomplete reports will not be accepted.

The review will also assess the utilization of development funds and the outcomes of government projects.

Officials said the exercise will also evaluate the performance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority and the Planning Commission of Pakistan, as well as the Annual Development Programme, economic policies, improvements in the national census and statistical system, public-private partnership initiatives and the prime minister’s special projects.

PM orders technical audit of power distribution companies’ billing systems

July 30, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to conduct a technical audit of the billing systems used by Pakistan’s electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) as part of broader efforts to reform the country’s power sector.

During a briefing on the performance of distribution companies, officials informed the prime minister that technical and commercial losses across DISCOs have been declining gradually.

They said the Islamabad, Lahore and Gujranwala electricity distribution companies recorded the lowest losses during the last fiscal year.

The prime minister instructed officials to establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the performance of all distribution companies and said the best-performing DISCO would be recognized with an official award.

Sharif said power sector reforms remain one of the government’s top priorities and stressed that the installation of smart electricity meters nationwide is essential to improving efficiency and transparency.

He also called for stricter measures at every level to eliminate electricity theft completely and directed authorities to prepare village-level solar energy projects to expand access to renewable energy and reduce pressure on the national grid.

PM Shehbaz highlights role of cybersecurity in national defense

July 22, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan’s armed forces used autonomous systems and cybersecurity capabilities to defend the country’s borders during “Marka-e-Haq,” underscoring the growing role of advanced technology in national security.

Addressing the Indus Robotics and Autonomous Systems Expo in Islamabad, Sharif said the exhibition reflected Pakistan’s ambition to become a leader in emerging technologies in the 21st century.

The prime minister said the use of technology in the security sector was a source of national pride, adding that Pakistan had made significant progress in advanced technologies, including achieving more than 60% indigenous production of drones.

Sharif credited the armed forces, under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, for effectively integrating modern technology during “Marka-e-Haq.” He also praised the contributions of the chief of air staff and chief of naval staff.

He said Pakistan would continue to invest in advanced technologies, including autonomous systems and cybersecurity, to strengthen its defense capabilities and safeguard national sovereignty.

PM Shehbaz condemns missile attack on Saudi Arabia

July 14, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday strongly condemned the missile and drone attack on Saudi Arabia, warning that the escalation could further undermine peace and stability in the region.

In a statement, Sharif said Pakistan “strongly condemns the blatant attacks” carried out against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, describing them as a violation of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He warned that such actions risk further destabilizing the region and reaffirmed Pakistan’s “unwavering support” for Saudi Arabia’s security.

“Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during this difficult time,” the prime minister said, adding that Islamabad would continue to support sincere efforts aimed at promoting regional peace, stability, security and dialogue.

The statement came after Yemen’s Houthi movement launched missiles and drones targeting Abha International Airport in southern Saudi Arabia, in a sharp escalation of regional tensions. Saudi air defenses intercepted the projectiles, and no casualties were immediately reported

PM Shehbaz meets Qatar’s emir, offers condolences on death of ex-ruler

July 13, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

DOHA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during a visit to Doha, where he conveyed Pakistan’s condolences over the death of former Qatari emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Sharif paid tribute to the late emir’s visionary leadership and his contributions to regional peace, stability and development.

He also recalled Sheikh Hamad’s several visits to Pakistan and reaffirmed Islamabad’s solidarity with Qatar’s leadership and people during their time of mourning.

The Emir of Qatar thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the Pakistani delegation for traveling to Doha in person to offer condolences, describing the gesture as a reflection of the close ties between the two countries.

The meeting was attended by Nawaz Sharif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and other senior Pakistani officials.

Earlier, upon his arrival in Doha, the Pakistani delegation was received by Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Prime Minister Shehbaz returned to Pakistan after concluding the one-day visit.

PM directs Pakistani embassies to expand overseas job opportunities for youth

July 6, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed Pakistani embassies to accelerate efforts to identify overseas employment opportunities for young Pakistanis as part of the government’s strategy to boost skilled workforce exports.

Chairing a meeting to review youth employment initiatives, the prime minister instructed overseas missions to intensify engagement with foreign employers and labor markets to help create more job opportunities for Pakistani workers.

Sharif also ordered the complete digitization of the Protectorate of Emigration system and directed the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission and the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme to ensure the provision of internationally recognized vocational skills and language training programs with certification.

The prime minister said Pakistan’s workforce is highly capable and emphasized that the government is working to improve access to internationally recognized education, training and employment opportunities.

He instructed Pakistani embassies to strengthen mechanisms for sharing information on overseas job openings and labor market requirements, while urging relevant institutions to enhance cooperation with foreign countries to align Pakistani certifications with international standards.

Officials told the meeting that more than 800,000 young people have registered on the government’s Digital Youth Hub platform. They said training programs are underway to prepare Pakistanis for overseas employment and that embassies will upload information on available jobs and required qualifications to the portal.