Islamabad: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Wednesday said that the coalition government was committed to providing maximum relief to the people in the upcoming budget.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Wednesday, she said massive programmes have been earmarked for farmers, IT and export sectors as well as the youth.

The Minister said passing dividends of the reduced oil prices on the common people is Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s top agenda. She said the Prime Minister is holding consultative meetings with different stakeholders and other key segments of society in this regard.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said the coalition government is striving hard to put the economy on the path of stability and growth, but the dream of economic stability remains elusive without having political stability in the country. 

She said an anti-state mindset nurtured by the PTI and its Chief has not only brought political instability to the country but also ruined Pakistan’s economy. She said these anti-state forces are callously hell-bent to harm Pakistan’s interests.

Lahore: Former President and Co-Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Asif Ali Zardari, extended an invitation on Wednesday to all stakeholders to come together and discuss a "charter of economy" as the PPP regains political influence in Punjab.

Speaking at a ceremony organized by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on the charter of economy, Zardari emphasized the need for collective thinking and collaboration beyond individual interests. He clarified that he was not seeking monetary donations but rather the collective will, ideas, and energy to implement his vision for the future.

Zardari highlighted the PPP's previous governance, stating that his party's government had outperformed others in the past. He expressed the goal of raising foreign exchange reserves to $200 billion and encouraged Pakistani businessmen to form industrial groups and invest, assuring them of a guaranteed return on their investments.

Acknowledging the significance of the private sector in nation-building, Zardari stressed the need to alleviate the burden on common people by reducing tax rates. He emphasized that the economy should be viewed from a long-term perspective, serving future generations.

Zardari further emphasized the potential of increasing exports to $300 billion, which would overshadow concerns about defense spending. He cited PPP's achievements, such as constructing seven bridges in Sindh through public-private partnerships, as examples of successful initiatives.

Asserting that it is the duty of politicians to formulate policies rather than engage in business activities, Zardari urged stakeholders to take his policies forward for the betterment of the country. He questioned why attention had not been given to the development of Gwadar, emphasizing the need for proactive measures.

As political leaders continue to join the PPP, Zardari extended his stay in Lahore until June 12. It is anticipated that more leaders from Punjab will join the party in the coming days, further bolstering its strength in the region.

Lahore: As Jahangir Tareen, gained political momentum following a wave of defections from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the name of his party surfaced, the sources said.

According to the sources, Tareen's party would be called the "Pakistan Istehkam Party (PIP)".

Tareen's prominence increased after a significant number of PTI members defected on both national and provincial levels, denting the PTI's political influence in the country.

In a notable victory for Tareen, Murad Raas, a PTI deserter, joined his group. Raas, accompanied by Abdul Aleem Khan and Awn Chaudhry, expressed his support for Tareen. Other politicians, including Hashim Dogar and others, bid farewell to the PTI alongside Raas.

Recently, Tareen formed a three-member committee consisting of Awn Chaudhry, Sardar Tanvir Ilyas, and Ishaq Khakwani, to attract defectors as he prepares to launch his new political party.

The committee has decided to reach out to key figures from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including former party president Parvez Khattak and others. Former PTI senior vice president Fawad Chaudhry and Firdous Ashiq Awan have already held meetings with Tareen, indicating their support for his political endeavors.