PM Shehbaz Sharif set to head National Economic Council

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to head the National Economic Council (NEC) to streamline major economic projects late on Friday.

As the chairperson of the council, Shehbaz will oversee and finalise critical economic initiatives including passing the budget.

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According to sources, the National Economic Council will implement the recommendations of the Strategic Implementation and Facilitation Committee (SIFC) regarding all economic projects. The move aims to ensure “efficient decision-making” and the “effective” implementation of economic policies.

The inaugural session of the National Economic Council is expected to take place shortly after the budget is finalised. During the meeting, the council will discuss and finalise decisions on various proposed economic projects valued at about $50 billion.

The National Economic Council will comprise the four provincial chief ministers as members, as per the notification issued by the Cabinet Division. Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Asif, Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Ahsan Iqbal were also appointed as members.

Each provincial chief minister also nominated a representative to serve on the council. Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb is set to represent Punjab, while Muzzammil Aslam will represent Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Similarly, Jam Khan Shoro from Sindh and Zahoor Ahmed Buledi from Balochistan were nominated as representatives.

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Federal Minister Ahad Cheema, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Jehanzeb Khan, and Secretaries from Finance, Economic Affairs, and Planning, and Special Initiatives ministries will also take part.