ISLAMABAD, Jun 17 (APP):Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Economic Affairs and member of the National Assembly's Finance Committee, Zeb Jaffar, on Wednesday said the government's prudent economic policies had helped steer Pakistan towards stability, rebuild investor confidence and enhance the country's standing at the international level. Taking part in the budget debate in the National Assembly, she paid tribute to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, stating …
Govt steering economy towards stability, restoring investor confidence: Zeb Jaffar
ISLAMABAD, Jun 17 (APP):Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Economic Affairs and member of the National Assembly’s Finance Committee, Zeb Jaffar, on Wednesday said the government’s prudent economic policies had helped steer Pakistan towards stability, rebuild investor confidence and enhance the country’s standing at the international level.
Taking part in the budget debate in the National Assembly, she paid tribute to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, stating that thanks to their joint strategy, the world now recognizes Pakistan’s peace-loving role, and the country was emerging from severe economic distress toward stability.
Drawing a historical connection to Mian Nawaz Sharif’s landmark decision to make Pakistan a nuclear power, she emphasized that the current government was honoring that legacy by restoring the global prestige of the green passport.
This, she noted, has successfully rebuilt foreign investor confidence in the international market, keeping Pakistan on the right track as it fulfills its IMF commitments.
She commended the government’s policies regarding the national economy, defense, women’s health, youth development, and regional issues, while offering key structural recommendations.
Highlighting key features of the federal budget, Zeb Jaffar said a substantial amount of approximately Rs. 16 million had been allocated for youth-focused agricultural and business loans, terming it an investment in the country’s future and a step towards empowering young entrepreneurs.
Drawing on her experience as a member of the Finance Committee, she stressed the need for pension reforms and cited examples from Canada and Bangladesh, saying reforms in the pension system could help reduce the financial burden on the national exchequer.
Referring to national security, she lauded the sacrifices of armed forces personnel deployed along the country’s borders under difficult conditions and called for further strengthening of defence capabilities. She urged the finance minister to consider enhancing allocations for the defence sector to support the country’s security needs.
Zeb Jaffar also identified an untapped economic avenue, pointing out that the global seaweed industry is worth 25 billion dollars. She noted with regret that despite Pakistan possessing a 1,000-kilometer coastline and 475 species of seaweed, its market share stands at a meager 2 million dollars, urging the government to explore this sector to generate substantial revenue like India and Indonesia.
On women’s welfare and healthcare, she congratulated the finance minister for abolishing the “pink tax” on female hygiene products. She brought the House’s attention to the fact that 70 percent of the population suffers from Vitamin D deficiency, recommending a special quota to provide free injections to women to protect maternal health. In this context, she recalled Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s past initiative as Chief Minister of Punjab when he provided free hepatitis injections.
Highlighting the issue of clean drinking water, she drew attention to groundwater salinity in parts of South Punjab and called for the development of a comprehensive national water policy, taking inspiration from successful international models.
The parliamentary secretary highly praised the leadership, resilience, and vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. She credited her with introducing landmark initiatives such as the province’s first air ambulance service, the “Clean Punjab” campaign, and dedicated helplines for women’s safety.
Concluding her speech, Zeb Jaffar paid tribute to women parliamentarians for their contributions to legislation and policymaking, stating that the women in the House represent the true and powerful voice of 54 percent of Pakistan’s population.
