Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar has announced that the government has exerted maximum efforts to deliver substantial relief to the general public in the 2025-26 budget. Addressing a post-budget conference on Friday, he emphasized the resilience and potential for progress of the Pakistani nation.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted key economic indicators, revealing that the country’s growth rate currently stands at 6.3 percent. He also noted a significant reduction in inflation, now at 3.59 percent, and stated that the volume of foreign exchange reserves is stable at 17 billion dollars. Additionally, Pakistan’s import cover is maintained at 2.4 months.

Ishaq Dar underscored the country’s substantial off-shore gas reserves, ranking fourth globally, and estimated the value of mines and minerals beneath Pakistani soil to be between six and ten trillion dollars. He also announced a significant reduction in electricity prices aimed at providing maximum relief to the people.

In addressing the country’s water resources, the Deputy Prime Minister revealed plans to increase Pakistan’s water capacity to 25 million acre-feet, with a special focus on constructing new water storage reservoirs. Furthermore, he clarified that the Indus Water Treaty cannot be altered, changed, or terminated unilaterally, and warned that any obstruction of water flow would be considered an act of war.