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PM underScoreS ‘whole-of-govt aPProach’ to booSt exPortS, addreSS econoMic challengeS Thursday, 26 February, 2026 | 8 Ramazan, 1447
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PREMIER SHEHBAZ INAUGURATES PAKISTAN GOVERNANCE FORUM 2026, LAUNCHES PSDP DATA PORTAL AIMED AT PROMOTING TRANSPARENT GOVERNANCE
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ISLAMABAD
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CALLS FOR UNIFIED NATIONAL EFFORT TO MOVE FORWARD ON PATH OF SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 233 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
RECALLS 2023 DEFAULT THREAT AND SUBSEQUENT ECONOMIC STABILIZATION WITHIN TWO YEARS, SAYING INFLATION CUT FROM 35% TO UNDER 7% WHILE POLICY RATE BROUGHT DOWN TO 10.5%
— assures full federal support for Sindh projects in meeting with cM Shah
Staff report
RIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday stressed the need for adopting a whole-of-government approach to boost exports and address pending economic challenges, urging all stakeholders to move forward on the path of sustainable economic growth through collective efforts. “In June 2023, Pakistan was on the verge of default, but with the grace of Allah Almighty and through collective efforts, the government pulled the country back from the brink. Within two years, the macroeconomic situation was stabilised due to strong teamwork among the federal and provincial governments and the military hierarchy,” the prime minister said. He was addressing the inaugural session of the Pakistan Governance Forum 2026 and the launch of the PSDP Data Portal aimed at promoting transparent governance. Referring to key economic indicators, PM Shehbaz said inflation, which had surged to around 35 percent at the time, had been brought down to below 7 percent, while the policy rate had been reduced to 10.5 percent. He underlined the need to steadily increase exports, noting that the country had immense untapped potential in this area. The prime minister said several reforms introduced by the government were homegrown and not dictated by the IMF, adding that these measures were undertaken as a national necessity to avert the boom-and-bust cycle. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif digitally launches the PSDP Data Portal of Ministry of Planning and Development at the Pakistan Governance Forum 2026 in Islamabad.
KARACHI
Staff report
pic.twitter.com/qZudd77n3l Highlighting progress in the power sector, he said the price of electricity per unit had been reduced by Rs9, while investments in solar energy were protected. He commended the minister for power and his team for their efforts in this regard. Expressing concern over power theft amounting to Rs200 billion, the prime minister said the issue could only be addressed through a coordinated whole-of-government approach. He also reiterated the need to close Utility Stores, terming them “a den of corruption and theft,” and cited the Pakistan Works Department (PWD) as another corruption-tainted entity whose closure had saved billions of rupees for the national exchequer. Referring to social protection measures, PM Shehbaz said that under the Ramazan Package, Rs38 billion was being distributed to deserving
iMf mission begins Pakistan review talks today PROFIT
NewS DeSk
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff mission has begun Pakistan discussions for the third review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the second review under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), with talks scheduled from February 25 to March 11. Mission will open engagements in Karachi with SBP officials today (Wednesday). The team is expected to move to Islamabad next week for meetings with the government’s economic side. Talks will continue until March 11, according to officials. The review will cover Pakistan’s economic performance for July-December 2025. Mission will also start negotiations for the release of the next tranche under EFF and RSF. Officials said the IMF team will review tax collection, energy sector reforms and progress on the privatisation programme. Governance and anti-corruption measures are also on the agenda, including transparency in appointments at key institutions.
beneficiaries through digital wallets in a dignified and transparent manner. The ceremony was attended by chief ministers, federal and provincial ministers, experts, diplomats, investors, businessmen, traders and senior officials. Emphasising collective efforts in economic revival, the prime minister said: “Though the journey may be long, arduous and thorny, we have accepted the challenge. Pakistan will soon carve out its due place.” He reiterated that it was not the government’s role to run businesses, but to facilitate the private sector, exporters and investors, and support them in enhancing productivity and growth. He said the government was encouraging exporters, investors and businessmen through a range of incentives.
PM assures full federal support for Sindh projects in meeting with CM Shah Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday assured full federal support for the timely completion of development projects in Sindh during a meeting with Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. According to a Prime Minister’s Office news release, the chief minister provided a detailed briefing to the prime minister on the progress of ongoing development initiatives across the province. The prime minister reaffirmed that the federal government would extend all possible assistance to ensure early completion of projects in Sindh. He directed the relevant ministries to maintain close coordination with the provincial government to accelerate public welfare initiatives and deliver tangible benefits to the citizens, the PMO statement stated. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar and Ahsan Iqbal, along with Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah, were also present at the meeting.
Security tightens amid threats ISLAMABAD
Staff report
Pakistan’s security apparatus has deployed enhanced security measures and intensified operations to arrest suspects amid fears of a surge in terror attacks following air strikes in Afghanistan, while the centre and provincial governments have also agreed on a joint strategy to maintain peace and stability across the country, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said on Wednesday.
34 Indian-sponsored terrorists neutralized in separate KP, Balochistan IBOs: ISPR RAWALPINDI
Staff report
The security forces neutralized a total of 34 Indian proxy terrorists in in four separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and an operation in Balochistan, according to the military’s media wing on Wedbesday. In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that over the last few days, security forces had conducted a series of “high tempo, intelligence-driven operations” aimed at eliminating Indian proxies – Fitna alKhwarij and Fitna al-Hindustan. Fitna al Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) while Fitna al Hindustan is a term designated for terrorist organisations in
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Balochistan. The ISPR said that on Feb 24, 26 terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khwarij were killed in four separate intelligencebased operations in KP, while eight terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan were killed in an operation in Balochistan’s Sambaza. Giving a breakdown, ISPR said that the movement of a group of terrorists trying to infiltrate through the Pak-Afghan border was picked up by security forces in KP’s North Waziristan. It said troops engaged the terrorists, killing one in the process. “It is significant to highlight that the killed kharji has been identified as an Afghan national,” the statement said. The ISPR said that an intelligence-based operation (IBO) was conducted in KP’s Lakki Marwat district. “During the operation, troops effectively engaged the terrorists’
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location and after an intense fire exchange, three militants were killed,” it said. According to ISPR, 10 terrorists were killed in Narmi Khel in KP’s Bannu district while 12 were killed in North Waziristan’s Mir Ali. “Similarly, troops also conducted an IBO in Sambaza in Balochistan’s Zhob district and after an intense fire exchange, eight terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan were successfully neutralised,” it said. “Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from Indian sponsored killed khwarij and terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area,” it said. “The security forces of Pakistan remain resolute and unwavering in their commitment to defend the nation’s frontiers,” the statement said, adding that sanitisation operations were being con-
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ducted to eliminate other terrorists. The statement concluded that security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue to act against terrorism at full pace. In a statement, President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the security forces for their successful operations against Fitna Al Hindustan and Fitna Al Khwarij terrorists. He said that the killing of the terrorists and the recovery of weapons reflected the professional performance of security forces. He stressed that the security forces and law enforcement agencies should continue their efforts to eradicate terrorism in line with the vision of Azm-i-Istehkam. “There should be no let-up in operations against terrorists who are active with external backing, to ensure national security and the protection of the people,” he said.