Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said situation in the region in the backdrop of Iran-Israel conflict is quite alarming and it poses a serious threat not only to the region, but also to the global peace.
Presiding over the Federal Cabinet meeting held in Islamabad on Wednesday, he termed Israeli attacks on brotherly country Iran as a blatant aggression. He reiterated Pakistan’s complete solidarity with Iran and its people against Israeli aggression.
The Prime Minister urged the international community to make efforts for brokering immediate ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan strongly condemns the Israeli aggression against Iran in which hundreds of Iranian people lost their lives and many others sustained injuries.
The Prime Minister said he had talked to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and expressed solidarity with him on behalf of the people of Pakistan, besides condemning Israeli aggression.
The Prime Minister said he also talked to President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan over the evolving situation in the region.
Turning to prevailing situation in Gaza, he said over fifty thousand innocent Palestinians had been martyred so far in Israeli attacks. He emphasized waking up of the conscience of international community.
He said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar is visiting Turkiye from 21st of this month to attend meeting of the OIC Foreign Ministers.
The Prime Minister said considering the historic victory of Pakistan in recent Pak-India tensions and fight against terrorism, the government increased the fiscal space to meet the requirements of the valiant armed forces of Pakistan with regard to necessary equipments.
Shehbaz Sharif also appreciated Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his delegation for effectively presenting Pakistan’s viewpoint during their visits to the United States and Europe over Indian unilateral and illegal aggression.
About internal situation regarding the federal budget, the Prime Minister said discussion is underway in the Parliament on the next financial year budget. He lauded the efforts of the Finance Minister, his team and Chairman FBR for taking the allied parties and other stakeholders onboard in this regard.
Shehbaz Sharif said the government had informed the International Monetary Fund against imposing tax on agriculture sector, including levy of taxes on fertilizer and pesticides to which the IMF accepted our request. He expressed gratitude to the IMF for accepting this request.
He said only one percent tax has been imposed in the current fiscal year budget on those earning six hundred thousand to twelve hundred thousand rupees against five percent which was imposed last year.
