Zehra began by expressing deep concern over India’s alleged involvement in target killings in Canada. She pointed out that in June 2021, Indian intelligence officer Kulbhushan Jadhav was apprehended in Pakistan and confessed to being involved in terrorist activities. Zehra emphasized that there has been no change in Kulbhushan Jadhav’s status, and Pakistan remains committed to bringing those involved in acts of terrorism in Pakistan to justice.

The staff-level agreement, signed on November 15, outlines the conditions and commitments that Pakistan has agreed to undertake in exchange for financial assistance from the IMF. The agreement is instrumental in addressing fiscal imbalances, improving revenue collection, and implementing structural reforms aimed at fostering economic stability and growth.

The financial crisis is so severe that the government is considering three options to address it. Among these options, one proposal suggests a 35% increase in government employees’ salaries, which could potentially lead to monthly savings of around 9 billion Pakistani Rupees. This, however, comes at the expense of a substantial reduction in public sector employees’ take-home pay.