No new duties to be imposed on solar panels to ensure common man’s access to renewable solar energy: PM Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD, June 25 (SABAH): Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif says economic security of the common man and provision of opportunities for equal development is the foremost priority of the government.

Chairing a meeting of the Federal Cabinet in Islamabad on Tuesday, PM Shehbaz Sharif said no new duties will be imposed on solar panels to ensure common man’s access to renewable solar energy.

The Prime Minister said we will make low-cost renewable solar energy available to every citizen.

PM Shehbaz Sharif said we are also actively planning to move the economy in a positive trajectory. He said exports of the country will be increased by developing small and medium scale industries. Further, privileges of elites of country’s resources will be abolished. He directed the Ministers to ensure their presence in Parliament during debate on the Budget 2024-25.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister took the members into confidence regarding the misunderstandings and speculations circulating regarding Azm-e-Istehkam.

He said Azm-e-Istehkam is a multi-faceted, coordinated national vision of the various security agencies and the entire state system. For this purpose, instead of a new and systematic armed action, operations based on already ongoing intelligence will be intensified.

The Prime Minister said objective of the operation is to decisively root out the remnants of terrorists, criminal and terrorist nexus and violent extremism in the country.

The meeting was apprised of the progress on the privatization of state institutions, especially the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines.

It was informed in the meeting that process of privatization of PIA is in progress, and companies showing interest in pre-bidding process are visiting various sites of PIA. The bidding of PIA will be held in the first week of August.

The Prime Minister directed to expedite process of privatization of PIA and give key importance to the element of transparency.

On the recommendation of the Ministry of Commerce and the request of the United Nations World Food Program Afghanistan, the Federal Cabinet granted permission for the transit of a container containing truck parts from Karachi to Kabul.

On the recommendation of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, the Federal Cabinet approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Religious Affairs Pakistan and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Da’wah and Guidance, Saudi Arabia.

The Federal Cabinet was informed about the decision of the Economic Coordination Committee to export sugar. The meeting was told that there are ample reserves of sugar in the country at present. The forum granted approval to export a small amount of sugar.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister issued a clear directive that no increase in the price of sugar will be allowed.

The Federal Cabinet on the recommendation of the Cabinet Division approved to allow to table in the Parliament, the National Economic Council annual report for the financial year 2022-23 prepared by the Ministry of Planning Division.