Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday vowed to inflict a “crushing defeat” on terrorists, pledging that perpetrators would “never dare cast an evil eye on Pakistan again”, according to state-run Radio Pakistan.
While chairing a high-level meeting on the country’s security situation in Islamabad, the premier emphasised that the government’s counter-terrorism campaign would persist until the complete eradication of extremist elements.
“Pakistan’s enemies are scared of our economic achievements,” PM Shehbaz said, vowing to inflict a “crushing defeat on terrorists so that they never dare cast an evil eye on Pakistan again”, the report quoted him as saying.
Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terror activities over the past year, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, after the TTP ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022. The prime minister praised security forces for their sacrifices in combating terrorism, noting that “brave officers and soldiers are confronting terrorists day and night, laying down their lives for the country”. He assured provincial governments of federal support to enhance their counter-terrorism capabilities, expressing satisfaction that all provinces were collaborating effectively on developing a unified counter-terrorism narrative.
The prime minister stressed the importance of setting aside political differences to address the security challenge, calling for intensified cross-institutional efforts against smuggling and human trafficking networks.
The participants were informed that the National and Provincial Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Center has been established at the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta), the report added.
Officials also briefed the premier on forensic capabilities, confirming that a forensic science agency has been established in Islamabad, while Punjab’s existing forensic facilities are undergoing further improvements.
During the meeting, the prime minister directed authorities to expedite the completion of Safe City projects in major urban centres, which would enhance surveillance and security response capabilities across the country.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said Pakistan must urgently increase its revenues to reduce reliance on borrowing and avoid long-term dependence on the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Speaking during a visit to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) headquarters in Islamabad on Thursday, the prime minister described rising public debt as a serious challenge and called for sustained economic reforms. “We have to raise national income through hard work and determination,” the prime minister said. “If we fail to do so, debt will keep piling up, and we will never break free from the IMF.”
PM Shehbaz said the FBR’s digitalisation drive was underway, but warned that the process faced obstacles which needed to be swiftly addressed. He described tax system reforms as essential for Pakistan’s economic stability and future growth.
Officials briefed the prime minister on ongoing reforms, including the launch of data-driven decision-making systems and a new performance management system for tax officers.
The FBR is integrating data from NADRA, banks, and asset records to improve tax compliance and expand the country’s tax base. A digital invoicing system, aimed at curbing tax evasion, is also in its final stages and will be rolled out soon. “A 27% increase in tax collection over last year is commendable,” PM Shehbaz said. “But we must resolve the high-value cases stuck in courts. Two recent decisions alone have brought billions to the treasury. Imagine what dozens more could do.” The prime minister inaugurated a fully automated, performance-based monitoring system for tax officials, designed to ensure transparency and reward merit. He also toured the FBR’s newly established Delivery Unit, where he met staff and reviewed the operational setup.
Calling FBR officers a “valuable national asset,” PM Shehbaz expressed hope that modernisation would allow the tax authority to play a key role in strengthening the country’s economy and easing the debt burden.
