ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday in a meeting with economic experts issued directives for formulating financial proposals on an emergency basis to address the current economic situation in the country.
The proposals will be devised in line with the consultation with stakeholders in areas including agriculture, trade, investment, and banking.
A summit will be held in the next few days to discuss the suggestions of the economic experts.
The prime minister also decided to form National Economic Council to be comprised of independent financial experts.
In view of the challenging economic situation, he directed setting of medium and long-term fiscal policies and also stressed the presentation of comprehensive policy options to overcome inflation.
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Shehbaz Sharif emphasized a reduction in prices of daily-use commodities and essential items, particularly during the month of Ramazan.
He stressed the need for maintaining a balance between the national and public interests.
The Secretary Finance gave a briefing to the prime minister on the economic situation, revenues, budget deficit, and loans besides the overall national balance sheet. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif terming diligence, honesty, and transparency his guiding principles said serving the people of Pakistan was his topmost priority.
The next day after the taking oath, PM Shehbaz Sharif assumed the responsibilities at his office at 8 am much earlier than the Ramazan working hours of 10 am and said he did not want to waste an iota of the time without serving the masses.
During an interaction with his staff, the prime minister directed the officials to get into the action for robust performance.
The prime minister ordered a single weekly off for public departments instead of the earlier two days.
Also, the public offices will open at 8 am from now.
Meanwhile, the Establishment Division, following the directives of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Tuesday scrapped two weekly offs of federal government offices with immediate effect. According to a notification issued by establishment division, only Sunday will be the weekly off day in the government offices. Half day would be observed on Friday. The office timings have been changed from 10 am to 8 am.