ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday commended Saudi Arabia for its crucial role in facilitating the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India, as well as its broader contributions to peace efforts in the Middle East. The prime minister expressed his gratitude during a meeting with Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malkiy in Islamabad.
Sharif recalled his recent phone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman on June 24, where they discussed regional security issues. He also extended his respectful regards to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman, emphasizing Pakistan’s appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s support.
Additionally, Prime Minister Sharif highlighted Pakistan’s new role as the rotating President of the UN Security Council for July and sought Saudi Arabia’s continued support to ensure a successful tenure. The Saudi ambassador responded by thanking Pakistan for its ongoing contributions to regional peace and stability.
In a separate meeting, the prime minister praised the Ministry of Finance and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for their significant achievement in increasing federal tax revenues by 42% during the fiscal year 2024-25, marking the highest revenue growth in a decade. He acknowledged the successful implementation of new tax laws and reforms that enabled the government to collect an additional Rs 865 billion compared to the previous year.
