Government Policies

After months of speculation, Pakistan’s IT Minister, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, confirmed on Thursday that the government is upgrading its ‘web management system’ to counter cyber security threats. This marks the first official acknowledgment of actions that have been blamed for recent internet disruptions, including slow browsing speeds, social media blockages, and WhatsApp connectivity issues. Government’s Response to Internet Disruptions For …

In a significant move aimed at streamlining state machinery and reducing administrative expenditures, the government has decided to abolish 28 departments within five key ministries. This decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, following the recommendations of a specially formed committee. Major Reforms Across Key Ministries The ministries affected by these reforms include: Kashmir Affairs …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has recently taken a decisive step in Pakistan’s economic planning by delegating the responsibility of developing a “home-grown economic development plan” to Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. This move comes after expressing dissatisfaction with the draft prepared by UK economist Stefan Dercon. Formation of Ministerial Committee A notification from the Prime Minister’s Office announced the formation …

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, approved a substantial Rs60 billion relief package on Thursday to provide subsidized essential goods to poorer households. This move represents a 71% increase from the previous year’s allocation, driven by a significant rise in the prices of basic commodities. Key Features of the Relief Package The …

In a surprising move given Pakistan’s deteriorating fiscal condition and escalating public debt, the government has greenlighted 15 development projects amounting to a staggering Rs515 billion. This approval includes a significant $900 million foreign loan aimed at bolstering climate change efforts. The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), responsible for authorizing development projects, convened a meeting to review 18 proposals, ultimately …

The newly appointed chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Rashid Mahmood Langrial, has raised concerns about the feasibility of the FBR’s ambitious target of collecting Rs40 billion from traders for the current fiscal year. During a high-level meeting chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb at the FBR headquarters, Langrial questioned the practicality of this goal, noting that the …

In a bid to tackle the financial challenges plaguing Pakistan’s power sector, the federal government has unveiled plans to reduce current electricity tariffs. This initiative comes amid growing concerns over the sector’s significant financial risks and inefficiencies. The proposed measures aim to provide some relief to consumers while addressing the underlying issues within the power sector. The government’s strategy involves …

Overview of the Plan The federal government has presented a five-year revenue generation plan to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with the goal of significantly expanding the tax base. The plan aims to add over 20 million new taxpayers to the tax net over the next five years. Targets for Expansion To achieve this ambitious target, the plan includes specific …

Introduction In a recent Senate Standing Committee on Energy meeting, Energy Minister Awais Leghari highlighted a dramatic increase in electricity costs from Independent Power Producers (IPPs), with unit prices soaring from Rs. 3 in 2016 to Rs. 285, marking a staggering 9600% rise over eight years. This revelation underscores significant concerns about the current structure and agreements with IPPs. Concerns …