Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said Pakistan must introduce strong economic incentives to accelerate growth and move beyond the phase of macroeconomic stability.
Addressing the National Economic Council meeting, which was held after multiple postponements, the prime minister stressed that the next phase of economic policy must focus on job creation, increased production, and export expansion.
He said Pakistan had achieved macroeconomic stability but now required renewed efforts to stimulate economic activity.
“There is a need to inject growth, improve employment opportunities and production, increase exports, and accelerate economic activity,” the prime minister said.
PM Shehbaz Sharif noted that despite ongoing geopolitical challenges and rising global energy prices, Pakistan had managed to comply with International Monetary Fund conditions.
He added that the federal government had been holding consultations with provincial governments for several weeks regarding the upcoming federal budget.
“Without federal and provincial integration and support, we would not have reached this point. Now we have to move forward quickly,” he said.
The prime minister further stated that the country’s biggest challenge at present was strengthening national security and addressing terrorism, expressing optimism that the menace would soon be eliminated.
He emphasized that sustained economic growth required targeted incentives to promote exports, revive manufacturing, and transform the overall economic structure.
PM Shehbaz also informed the council that he had a detailed discussion with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, who reportedly appreciated Pakistan’s economic efforts.
The National Economic Council is the highest constitutional forum for economic planning and coordination between the federal and provincial governments. Chief ministers of all provinces attended the meeting.
The NEC meeting was originally scheduled for May 22, later postponed to June 3, and subsequently held on June 8, 2026.
