Our Terms & Conditions | Our Privacy Policy
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses the federal cabinet on July 10, 2024. — PID
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday warned India that any attempt to block Pakistan’s water in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty would be met with a decisive response.
“Enemy [India] can’t snatch even a single drop of water from Pakistan. You threaten to stop our water. If you attempt such a move, Pakistan will teach you a lesson you will never forget,” the prime minister said while addressing an event held here in connection with International Youth Day. He emphasized that water was the lifeline for Pakistan, and no compromise would be made on the country’s rights under international agreements.
The prime minister said that a “new Pakistan” had emerged after the armed forces of Pakistan defeated India on May 10. He said India’s pride was sunk when the Pakistan Air Force downed six Indian fighter jets. He called it a historic moment for the country.
PM Shehbaz announced that 100,000 laptops would be distributed interest-free to students purely on merit.
During his address, PM Shehbaz also congratulated the nation on Independence Day and praised the role of minorities and all segments of society in the creation and development of Pakistan.
Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said the government was taking effective measures for the protection of minorities. All citizens have equal rights in line with the Constitution, he said adding that “To ensure representation, the government has formulated a policy to promote interfaith harmony. Under this policy, minorities will be granted a 5% quota in jobs”.
Chairman PM Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Khan said Pakistan’s first youth policy was introduced in 2011 by the then Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Under this initiative, laptops, soft loans, and scholarships were provided to talented students across the province.
In another development, the prime minister directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to further enhance coordination with provincial governments for an effective relief and rehabilitation of those affected by the recent rains and floods.
He issued the instructions during a meeting with NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, who briefed him on the ongoing relief operations and preparedness measures for any potential emergencies, a Prime Minister’s Office news release said.
Reviewing progress on strengthening early warning mechanisms, the prime minister emphasized that the advanced information system in Gilgit-Baltistan should be made fully operational at the earliest, with close collaboration between NDMA and the Ministry of Climate Change.
The prime minister also directed the completion of the 100-MWsolar power project in Gilgit-Baltistan within a year, vowing to personally monitor its progress. Chairing a review meeting here following the recent approval of the project by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), the prime minister stressed that the initiative will be executed on a priority basis to ensure uninterrupted, low-cost, and environment-friendly electricity supply to the region.
Shehbaz said solarization was the most viable solution to meet Gilgit-Baltistan’s energy needs, noting that integrating renewable energy sources into Pakistan’s energy mix was essential to mitigate the effects of climate change. He also directed that hydel and solar energy generation in the region be structured to ensure uninterrupted supply during extreme weather conditions.
In a rare move aimed at curbing Pakistan’s runaway population growth, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered immediate waiver of all taxes on contraceptive products to make them affordable and widely accessible across the country. The unprecedented decision, taken during a high-level meeting on August 7, 2025, is being described by population experts as a “long overdue intervention” to address one of the biggest threats to Pakistan’s economic and social stability.
Confirming the development, an official in the ministry of health said the prime minister had issued clear directives to remove all duties and taxes on contraceptives “without delay” and instructed the relevant ministries to ensure swift implementation.
However, senior officials in the FBR have hinted that the actual implementation could hit a procedural roadblock, as the tax waiver may require a nod from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) before it becomes part of Pakistan’s fiscal policy.
“We can only move forward once we receive a green signal from the IMF,” said one senior FBR official.
Pakistan’s population growth rate currently stands at a staggering 2.55pc—one of the highest in the world—adding roughly 6 million people every year.
The PM’s directive has been hailed by reproductive health organisations, but they stress that tax exemptions alone will not be enough. “We need parallel investments in awareness campaigns, rural outreach, and ensuring a reliable supply chain of contraceptives,” said a senior representative of a major international NGO working in Pakistan.
Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.
Aggregated From –
Comments are closed.