PM wants strategy to achieve $60 billion export target
He directed formulation of a comprehensive and effective strategy to take the exports to $60 billion in the next five years.
He instructed his economic team to introduce sustainable reforms for the system of tariff to achieve economic progress and enhance exports.
He said the tariffs should be brought down and the system should be made easy and simple.
The prime minister said a strategy should be adopted to increase the production capacity of the industries by bringing reforms in the tariff structure.
He stressed that special attention should be paid to the sectors of services, information technology and agriculture.
He said economic progress based on exports was an important element of "Uraan Pakistan" vision, adding necessary reforms should be introduced in the governance of Export Development Fund for development of export industries.
During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed about the steps taken to reform the Ministry of Commerce and increase the export target to $ 60 billion in the next five year.
It was informed that the tariff was gradually decreased in the last two years.
The Ministry of Commerce was hosting international level exhibitions every year in Pakistan to expand exports.
The meeting was told that consultation was continuing with all stakeholders on the Strategic Trade Policy Framework 2025-30.
The consultation on the Ecommerce policy was in the final stage of completion and would be presented for the approval of the cabinet next month.
A National Compliance Center was ready to harmonize Pakistani products with the international standard.
The center would create programmes for increasing capacity of the export industries in Pakistan and hold trainings.
Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue Arshad Mehmood Langrial and high level officers of the relevant departments attended the briefing.
Health, pharmaceutical sectors
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday chaired a meeting to review reforms in the health and pharmaceutical sectors.
He directed that a drug testing laboratory of good standard should be established in Islamabad to ensure quality of medicines according to international level.
He instructed that mobile hospitals should be launched to provide health facilities in the outskirts of Islamabad, Gilgit Baltistan, Kashmir and Balochistan.
He ordered an operation in collaboration and consultation with the provincial governments against counterfeit drugs.
Fraudsters could not be allowed to play with the lives of the people, he asserted.
He said a comprehensive plan should be made for better regulation and development of the pharmaceutical sector in cooperation with the provincial governments.
He said the officers of Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) involved in the facilitation of fraud in the pharmaceutical sector should be identified and action against them should be ensured.
The prime minister said research in the medicine field should be undertaken for increase of exports of the pharmaceutical sector.
Implementation of reforms in Drug Regulatory Authority should be speeded up, he continued.
He said experienced experts of good reputation should be appointed on merit in the policy board of DRAP, adding steps should be taken on priority basis for making the Drug Pricing Committee effective and strong.
Federal ministers Nazir Tarar, Ahad Khan Cheema, Prime Minister's Coordinator for Health Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath and high level officers attended the meeting.
The prime minister was informed about the progress in reforms of the health and pharmaceutical sectors.
The meeting was told that the method of registration of locally manufactured drugs in a digital system was in final phases of its completion.
It was told that consultation was continuing on the National Drugs Policy and would be soon presented for approval.
A review was given on the posting of 94 new drug inspectors for inspecting drugs and about the performance of the present 25 drug inspectors.
The prime minister stressed that transparency should be ensured in the process of appointment of new drug inspectors.
The meeting was further told that the present export volume of medicines of Pakistan was $ 500 million and Ministry of Health was taking steps to enhance exports by carrying reforms including provision of research facilities.
Establishment of Export Directorate in DRAP was in the final stages with the aim to expand exports of the pharmaceutical sector in the country.
The Health Ministry also gave a briefing on measures to enhance the capacity of the surgical sector to further boost its exports and bring it to the international standard.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
46 Pakistanis return via Wagah border
Pakistan Punjab Rangers personnel and India's BSF perform flag lowering ceremony at the Wagah-Attari border. The ceremony, which India halted in May following the Pahalgam incident, features a display of coordinated military maneuvers. PHOTO: EXPRESS A group of 46 Pakistani nationals, including 35 Hindus, returned from India via the Wagah border on Thursday, as the repatriation of stranded citizens from both sides continued despite the strained relations between the two countries. India closed the Wagah border and ordered the Pakistani citizens to leave the country in April after an attack on IIOJK tourist resort of Pahalgam in which 26 people were gunned down. In May, the neighbours also fought a four-day military conflict. However, despite the strained diplomatic relations, the cross-border humanitarian coordination continues quietly.
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
CDWP clears six Daanish schools
The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Thursday approved the establishment of six Daanish schools in Balochistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), at a cost of Rs19.253 billion, in line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's initiative to provide quality education system to far-flung areas. The Planning Ministry said in a statement that these schools would be built under the formula of 50:50 cost-sharing by the federal government and the respective provincial governments. "These schools aim to uplift the most marginalised segments of society by providing access to quality education," it said. According to the statement, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal chaired the meeting, attended by Planning Secretary Awais Manzur Sumra, chief economist and the members of the Planning Commission (PC) and senior representatives from relevant federal ministries and provincial governments. These schools would be established in Balochistan's Kan Mehtarzai, costing Rs2,929.856 million; Sibi, costing Rs3,351.987 million; Baiker, Dera Bugti district, costing Rs2,665.733 million; Musakhel, costing Rs3,630.771 million; and Zhob, costing Rs3,632.405 million. The sixth approved Daanish schools would be established in AJK, costing Rs3,042.778 million. All these projects were cleated at the CDWP level, the Planning Minister stated in the statement. The Daanish Schools network is the largest system of free boarding schools for boys and girls in Pakistan, with a view to uplifting the most marginalised segments of the society by providing them access to the quality education. The Punjab government had earlier established a wide network of the Daanish schools, but now the other provinces are also taking steps to replicate this model to support talented students from underprivileged backgrounds. "The establishment of these schools represents a major step forward in addressing challenges faced by the education sector, especially in less developed areas," the ministry said. "The federal government also plans to establish new Daanish Schools in underserved districts," it added. "The initiative aims to empower youth, build stronger communities, and help create a more inclusive and equitable society. These schools will move beyond traditional rote learning, and promote 21st-century education models by integrating technology to improve delivery and track student progress." Speaking during the CDWP meeting, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal stated that more than 25 million children in Pakistan were currently out of school, which was a matter of serious national concern. He stressed that raising the literacy rate to 90% was essential for the country's development.
Express Tribune
8 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Govt announces July 5-6 holidays on account of Ashura
Listen to article The federal government has announced public holidays on July 5 and 6 (corresponding to Muharram 9 and 10) to mark Ashura, which commemorates the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions in Karbala. According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, "Prime Minister has been pleased to declare 5th and 6th July, 2025 (Saturday and Sunday) as public holidays on the occasion of Ashura (9th & 10th Moharram 1447 AH).' The announcement was made in continuation of the Cabinet Division's earlier circular, issued on December 23, 2024, outlining the schedule of public holidays for 2025. The public holidays will apply to all federal government offices. Provincial governments are expected to issue separate notifications in alignment with the federal announcement. In anticipation of large gatherings and processions, the government has tightened security measures across the country, particularly around Imambargahs. Surveillance has been enhanced to prevent any untoward incidents. Read More: PM directs authorities to ensure security during Muharram Last week, while chairing a meeting of the federal cabinet, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to ensure strict law and order during Muharram-related processions and majalis. He instructed the interior minister to coordinate with provincial governments, as well as the administrations in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, to maintain peace and security throughout the holy month. Mohsin Naqvi stated that a comprehensive security plan had been finalised to check miscreants and ensure high-level surveillance during Muharram. Also Read: India blocks Pakistani celebrities social media accounts again Earlier this week, during a visit to an Imambargah, the minister said security forces had been placed on high alert to thwart any "nefarious designs of cowardly enemies." He further noted that approval had been granted for the deployment of the Pakistan Army in all provinces, including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, on the request of local administrations. The army, he added, will remain available to support the civil administration as needed to ensure peace and order during the month.
