Islamabad, In an effort to bolster Pakistan’s economy, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) held a pivotal Special Apex Committee Meeting on March 21, 2024. Chaired by Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the meeting was notable for its broad and distinguished attendance, including former Caretaker Prime Minister Mr. Anwaar Ul Haq Kakar, the Chief of the Army Staff, members of both outgoing and incoming Federal Cabinets, Provincial Chief Ministers, and high-level government officials. The session was particularly significant as it aimed to ensure a smooth transition between cabinets, reflecting a concerted effort towards economic continuity and stabilization.
According to Press Information Department, the meeting served as a platform to brief the new Cabinet on the SIFC initiative’s role in attracting investments, facilitating privatization, and contributing to the country’s micro-economic stabilization. The initiative, launched in June 2023 by Prime Minister Sharif, was praised for its progressive evolution and its crucial part in navigating Pakistan through its economic challenges. The Committee emphasized the importance of a consensual approach under the SIFC to maintain economic momentum and make difficult decisions that prioritize the nation’s economic health.
The former Caretaker Prime Minister congratulated the new leadership, expressing optimism for their potential to address economic challenges and position Pakistan among the world’s leading economies. The Chief of Army Staff reiterated the armed forces’ support for the government’s economic policies, highlighting the importance of a secure environment for realizing Pakistan’s economic potential.
Prime Minister Sharif stressed the SIFC as critical to Pakistan’s economic future, calling for unity and an iron resolve among the Federal Cabinet to surmount the country’s economic difficulties. He appreciated the Caretaker Government’s efforts in upholding the national economic agenda and urged the incoming Cabinet to work beyond political differences for the collective economic stability and growth of Pakistan.