Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said the government presented the budget of relief and public welfare, reduced the burden on the salaried class and took steps for increasing exports, promoting industries and agricultural growth, investment and economic development.

In a statement regarding the federal budget, he said, “I am immensely grateful to Allah Almighty, by whose grace and the prayers of the nation, we have achieved economic stability, and thanks to whom we have provided relief to the people in the budget today.”

“I deeply thank every citizen of Pakistan who showed patience and forbearance in the most difficult circumstances and despite facing difficulties played a full role for the economic stability of our country,” he added.

He said he had promised the people that after achieving economic stability, its fruits would be directly delivered to the common man.

“Alhamdulillah, now the time of prosperity has begun,” he remarked, adding, “The improvement and relief that I had promised you after the difficult period, and the relief that my nation truly deserves, has officially begun.”

The Prime Minister said, “The main objective of this budget is that the fruits of strengthening the economy should reach the people directly and every section of society should be involved in the development process.”

He thanked Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, the entire economic team, chief ministers of the four provinces, and all the relevant institutions, whose tireless work, professional ability, and passion made this relief possible.

“From providing the people with the facility of their own roof under the Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar program to tax relief, to creating employment opportunities for the youth, reducing the burden on the middle class, and promoting business activities, your government has taken concrete and effective steps,” he mentioned.

He said, “God willing, this journey of development will continue in full swing and we will take all possible steps for the welfare of the people.”

The Prime Minister said Pakistan’s economy had achieved stability despite multiple challenges and expressed confidence that the federal government’s third budget would set the economy on a faster growth trajectory.

Addressing a special meeting of the federal cabinet convened to approve the federal budget, the prime minister said the government had successfully navigated difficult economic circumstances and laid the foundation for sustainable development.