ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that he has asked the banks to provide at least 40 percent of loans to the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to promote small businesses.

While addressing the Concluding Session of the two-day National Youth Convention in Islamabad on Wednesday, the prime minister urged the youth to engage with SMEs for their economic empowerment and skill development.

The prime minister said the key to Pakistan’s progress is in the hands of youth and this is the reason the government is fully focused to empower them. He said the government is utilizing all available resources to facilitate the youth so that they can harness their potential for the progress and prosperity of the Country.

The prime minister said that we have to move forward with unity and the Constitution of Pakistan is one such instrument that is binding us all together as one cohesive national force.

Shahbaz Sharif urged all political forces to work together in unison with all constitutional institutions of the Country within the contours of the Constitution for the progress of the Country.

Highlighting Pakistan’s indomitable struggle to rid of the menace of terrorism, he said that over 70,000 Pakistanis have sacrificed their lives in the war against terrorism. He commended the security forces and law enforcement agencies for standing resolute in this war.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday presided over a high-level review meeting for prevention of smuggling in Islamabad, which was told that an overall significant decline has been witnessed in the smuggling of essential goods while the smuggling of petroleum products and sugar has been curtailed to 50 percent and 80 percent respectively.

The meeting was apprised that during the year 2023-24, the smuggling goods Rs 106 billion worth were confiscated and the anti-smuggling drive also led to the reduction in hoarding practices.

The participants of the meeting were also apprised of the action taken against the officers involved in smuggling.

It was also told that 54 Joint Check Posts have been established under the directives of the prime minister to curb smuggling.

Similarly, 212 vehicles of Afghan Transit Trade fleet, which were feared to be used in smuggling, have been identified and banned. The bank guarantee has been made compulsory instead of only insurance guarantee for the Afghan Transit Trade.

وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی زیر صدارت اسمگلنگ کی روک تھام کے حوالے سے جائزہ اجلاس ہوا۔

اجلاس کو انسدادِ اسمگلنگ کی مہم کی اب تک کی کارکردگی پر رپورٹ بھی پیش کی گئی۔ اجلاس کو بریفنگ دی کئی کہ مالی سال 2023-24 کے دوران اسمگلنگ کی کوششیں ناکام کرکے ضبط کی جانے والی اشیاء کی مالیت… pic.twitter.com/I3FKNEfRjj

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) August 21, 2024

It was further informed that the process to identify the smugglers, their facilitators and transporters is underway on a fast pace in collaboration with the NADRA, Excise and other Departments concerned.

While expressing satisfaction over the reduction in the smuggling, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif expressed the resolve not to allow the people, involved in smuggling, to dent the national economy.

The prime minister directed the authorities concerned to accelerate efforts to prevent scourge of smuggling across the Country.

The prime minister said that the government ensured the use of modern technology to check smuggling. He said that it is a good omen that smuggling has declined due to effective operations of the authorities concerned.

Shahbaz Sharif said that legal action should be taken against people and their facilitators, involved in smuggling besides transporters, after confiscating their vehicles used for smuggling.

The prime minister directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Ministry of Interior and other relevant agencies to further strengthen their coordination in this regard. He instructed the authorities concerned to present a comprehensive plan for provision of better employment opportunities in the border areas.

The meeting was briefed that a comprehensive campaign is underway under the Ministry of Interior to check smuggling of smuggling of petroleum products, cigarettes, mobile phones, gold, tea, clothes, commodities, vehicle tires and spare parts.

It was informed that a web portal has been launched for prevention of Sugar and Urea while preparation of a mechanism for identification of non-custom paid vehicles and their mapping is also in final stages.