In a significant event following the announcement of the federal budget 2023-24, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the PM House.
Interestingly, the National Assembly promptly passed a resolution after this meeting, advocating for the immediate trial of the perpetrators of the May 9 riots—those who launched attacks on military and state establishments—under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952.
While no official statement was given regarding the meeting, sources close to the prime minister informed that General Munir had indeed paid a visit to PM Sharif.
The COAS had recently declared an uncompromising stance towards those involved in the May 9 disruption, stating they would be prosecuted under the Army and official secrets act. The meeting between the PM and COAS holds particular relevance given the recent unveiling of the fiscal budget.
PM Sharif expressed his support for the 2023-24 budget in his tweets, stating that despite domestic and international challenges, the budget presents a clear roadmap for positive transformation. He emphasized the meticulous planning behind the proposed measures for enhancing information technology, agriculture, youth development, solarization, and other sectors.
He added that the initiatives aim to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among the country’s youth, stimulate agricultural productivity, and attract investment in agro-industry. Moreover, PM Sharif shared the government’s pursuit of a solarization project to utilize abundant solar power to replace costlier energy sources.
