Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a recent federal cabinet meeting, declared a steadfast commitment to defending Pakistan’s national interests against any propaganda or external threats. During the session, he particularly criticized the misinformation campaigns directed at the Pakistani armed forces, highlighting their sacrifices in the ongoing battle against terrorism.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, PM Sharif condemned the resurgence of terrorist activities in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, attributing them to an orchestrated conspiracy, possibly with cross-border origins involving the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Despite these challenges, he expressed a preference for resolving such security concerns through negotiations and peaceful means, noting ongoing direct and indirect contacts to address these issues.

In addition to security concerns, the Prime Minister outlined significant policy reforms aimed at boosting the economy and promoting tourism. He announced forthcoming changes to the visa policy, which will simplify processes and encourage business and tourism inflows from 126 countries by offering free visas and rapid electronic travel authorization within 24 hours.

The new visa regime, set to be approved by the cabinet soon, is expected to substantially enhance foreign investment and tourism, including religious tourism. Furthermore, the implementation of e-gates at nine major airports and Gwadar port is planned, with Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad airports set for the initial phase.

PM Sharif also reiterated his condemnation of the ongoing violence in Gaza, criticizing the international community’s failure to halt Israeli actions against Palestinians, which he described as genocidal.