PM seeks CJP’s help over timely decisions on tax cases

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday met with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi at the Chief Justice House in the federal capital and discussed with him the country’s economic situation and security challenges.

This was the maiden interaction between the prime minister and CJP. Justice Afridi had extended the invitation to the prime minister. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, Supreme Court Registrar Muhammad Salim Khan and Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan Secretary Tanzeela Sabahat were also present.

Shehbaz congratulated Justice Afridi on assuming his responsibilities and expressed good wishes. He also appreciated the chief justice’s initiative to visit remote areas of south Punjab, interior Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and to consult with all stakeholders for effective and timely delivery of justice in the country.

“During the meeting, the prime minister also discussed with the chief justice, the country’s economic situation as well as economic and security challenges,” the PM media wing in a statement said. Apprising the CJP of the long-pending tax disputes in various courts, the prime minister requested the top judge to ensure timely decisions on these cases based on merit.

According to the statement, the chief justice asked the prime minister for suggestions to improve the justice system. He also welcomed the prime minister’s discussion on improving the justice system. During the meeting, the chief justice shared with the prime minister, the agenda of the upcoming meeting of the National Judicial Policy Making Committee and sought the input of the government. The move is part of the CJP’s overall reform agenda intending reduction in the pendency and providing speedy justice to the people of Pakistan.

During the meeting, Justice Afridi informed Shehbaz that he would also be taking the opposition parties’ input and wished that his reform programme should carry bi-partisan support so that the reforms are consistent, sustainable and more impactful. The prime minister appreciated the reform package and agreed to provide the government’s input. Shehbaz assured Justice Afridi of accelerating effective measures regarding missing persons as well.

After the meeting, the CJP presented a shield of the Supreme Court of Pakistan to the prime minister. It is pertinent to mention here that recently Justice Afridi, during a sitting with reporters, had said that he had received a letter from the prime minister. The chief justice, however, said that he through the attorney general intimated to the prime minister that he would not reply to the letter in writing. Instead, he invited the prime minister to visit the court alongside the delegation.

Similarly, the chief justice had said that he also invited the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omer Ayub, to seek his suggestions for bringing judicial reforms. The meeting came only a few days after an International Monetary Fund delegation met the CJP and sought his assistance in maintaining financial discipline in the country.

Meanwhile, the prime minister chaired a meeting of the Economic Advisory Council, where members of the council expressed their full confidence in the government’s economic policies and presented key suggestions aimed at further strengthening Pakistan’s economic growth. Welcoming the recommendations, Shehbaz instructed the relevant authorities to collaborate with the council members to form a comprehensive action plan based on these suggestions.

He emphasised that economic stability was not the result of an individual effort but the collective efforts of the entire team. Reiterating his commitment to work for the sustainable development of the economy, he stated that the current potential for regional trade would be fully utilised.

The prime minister also highlighted efforts to make local industries capable of competing in international markets with their exports. “Industry, agriculture, IT development, job creation, and increasing exports are among the government’s top priorities,” he said, adding that he was focused on establishing green data centres in the country. He said efforts were also underway to improve telecommunication services and provide internet access to remote areas, which will help boost the number of freelancers and IT exports.

The prime minister pointed out that consultations were also ongoing regarding the regulation of digital currencies. He also stressed the need to turn the meeting’s constructive discussions into actionable plans. Participants of the meeting acknowledged that Pakistan’s economy was stable and progressing towards growth.

Separately, talking to a delegation of parliamentary delegation of Bahrain led by Bahrain Council of Representatives Speaker Ahmed bin Salman Al-Musallam, who called on him here at the PM House, the prime minister invited the Bahraini businessmen to tap the huge potential of business activities in Pakistan and invest in various sectors.

Meanwhile, the federal government is planning to launch the largest Prime Minister Ramazan Relief Package which would be submitted before the federal cabinet for approval.

There is a proposal to offer cash to 3.9 million deserving families and one-time financial assistance of Rs5,000 per family would be provided. The Ramazan relief package budget has been estimated at Rs20.5 billion. As much as Rs10 billion would be provided by the Ministry of Industry and Production. There is a proposal that Rs2 billion would be deducted from the BISP budget for the package, while the Finance Ministry would provide Rs8.5 billion.

Meanwhile, in his message on the observance of International Day of Social Justice, the prime minister stressed breaking down of the barriers of inequality to ensure that every citizen had access to basic human rights, quality education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, with the benefits of progress shared by all.