Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has inaugurated the PSDP Data Portal, enabling transparent governance. He inaugurated the portal at the Pakistan Governance Forum 2026 in Islamabad today. Addressing the forum, Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the need to adopt a whole of government approach to enhance exports. He mentioned that per unit electricity prices have been reduced by around nine rupees, and efforts should be made to curb electricity theft amounting to 200 billion rupees through this approach.
According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister announced the complete closure of Utility Stores and the Pakistan Works Department to prevent leakages. He noted that a direct subsidy of 38 billion rupees was provided to deserving families across Pakistan through digital wallets during Ramazan. Shehbaz Sharif also stressed the need to reduce direct taxation in the upcoming budget to facilitate the business community, stating that pilferage in sales tax should be avoided.
Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal addressed the forum, highlighting that international financial institutions and rating agencies now recognize Pakistan's economic transformation as a successful case study. He credited the current government with preventing national bankruptcy through significant governance and reforms. Iqbal emphasized that governance is the central pillar of the government's "Uraan Pakistan" transformational agenda, and stated that Pakistan has the potential to reach a 1 trillion dollar economy by 2035 if the nation fully utilizes its capabilities.
He called on all sectors of society to focus on an "Economic Long March" rather than political marches. Ahsan Iqbal explained that the PSDP Data Portal will serve as an open and transparent source, allowing the public to monitor progress and developments within the national development sector, ensuring transparent governance.
Resident Representative of UNDP Samuel Rizk addressed the forum, stating that governance is not only a technical discussion but a strategic choice about the future. He highlighted the importance of sustaining livelihoods, managing the cost of living, building resilience to environmental challenges, creating opportunities for young people, and increasing confidence in public institutions through good governance.
British High Commissioner to Pakistan Ms. Jane Marriott commended Pakistan's focus on sustaining economic reform and building a coherent export strategy. She noted that governance lowers costs and builds confidence and opportunities among citizens and investors. Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Justice retired Yar Mohammad highlighted that digital governance is emerging as a transformative reform in Gilgit-Baltistan, with the region poised to become a model of climate resilience, growth, digital governance, and sustainable tourism.
Advisor to Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muzammil Aslam reported that his province has completed a five-year digitalization plan in less than one year, with 170 government services identified for digitalization and 56 services fully digitalized. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar emphasized that Udaan Pakistan represents a clear direction for national reform, with legal reforms being an important part of the reform agenda of the Federal Government. He highlighted improvements in access to laws through the Pakistan Code and the introduction of case assignment and management systems.