Tough Economic Decisions Yield Results, Says PM Shehbaz Sharif

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that although his government inherited a struggling economy marked by severe challenges, the outcomes of difficult economic decisions are now clearly visible.

Speaking at a ceremony on Economic Governance Reforms, the prime minister recalled that when the government assumed power two years ago, the country was facing serious economic hardship. He said implementing economic reforms was a difficult task, especially at a time when inflation had surged to nearly 30 percent.

“The economy we inherited two years ago was in deep trouble, but we were fully aware of the challenges. Today, the results of our tough decisions are speaking for themselves,” the prime minister stated.

Highlighting improvements, Shehbaz Sharif said foreign exchange reserves have increased from $9 billion to over $12 billion. He added that tax revenues grew by 26 percent in 2025, while the tax-to-GDP ratio improved from 8 percent to 10 percent.

The prime minister noted that over the past two years, the government achieved strong economic growth, with one million new taxpayers added to the tax net. He also cited the successful privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and First Women Bank as major milestones.

Despite ongoing challenges, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the government has put the country on the right track and stressed that continued reforms are essential for sustained economic improvement.