Government Projects Under Shehbaz Sharif Since Taking Office
Government projects under Shehbaz Sharif have largely focused on economic stability, flood recovery, energy management and keeping systems running during a difficult period.
When Shehbaz Sharif became Prime Minister in April 2022, Pakistan was already in trouble. The economy was weak. Prices were going up. Foreign reserves were low. Power cuts and energy shortages were common. Not long after, heavy floods hit large parts of the country and made things worse for millions of people.
Because of this, government did not take charge during normal or stable time. Many decisions were made in pressure. There was little room for big new plans. Most of work during this period focused on keeping things from falling apart rather than building something new.
Looking back, many government projects from this time were about control and repair. Stability mattered more than growth.
Economic Stabilisation and Money Management
One of the first concerns for the government was avoiding financial collapse. Pakistan was running out of foreign money and struggled to pay for imports. Confidence in the economy was low.
To deal with this, government continued the IMF programme. This affected almost every major economic decision. Taxes were adjusted, subsidies were reduced and government spending was controlled. These steps were difficult and unpopular but officials argued they were needed to avoid default.
Instead of starting new spending programmes, government focused on paying bills, managing debt and keeping economy running at basic level.
Energy Sector Management
Energy problems did not improve quickly. Fuel prices were high worldwide and Pakistan’s power system already had long standing issues.
The government worked on changing contracts with power companies, adjusting electricity prices and reducing losses in the system. These actions were technical and slow. They did not bring quick relief to people but they were meant to stop situation from getting worse.
During this time, energy policy was about damage control, not quick fixes.
Flood Rehabilitation and Recovery
The floods of 2022 were one of the biggest challenges the government faced. Large areas in Sindh, Balochistan and parts of Punjab were badly affected. Homes were destroyed, crops were lost and roads and schools were damaged.
The government started rehabilitation work to rebuild houses, repair infrastructure and help affected families return to daily life. International aid was important in this effort and climate issues became part of talks with foreign partners.
Recovery was slow but over time the focus moved from emergency help to rebuilding and planning for future disasters.
Infrastructure and Ongoing Projects
During this period, government did not announce many new infrastructure projects. Instead it continued work on projects that were already underway.
Roads, motorways and transport routes moved forward where funds were available. In cities, road repairs and transport improvements continued at limited pace.
The main goal was to finish existing work rather than start new projects.
Key Government Initiatives at a Glance
Overall, the government’s work during this period can be grouped into these areas:
- Managing the economy through IMF linked steps
- Handling foreign currency shortages with help from friendly countries
- Trying to control losses in the energy sector
- Rebuilding flood affected areas
- Continuing road and transport projects already in progress
- Giving limited cost of living relief to low income households
- Keeping government offices and services running during crises
- Using foreign relations mainly for economic support
This shows a period focused on holding things together rather than expanding.
Social Welfare and Cost of Living Relief
As prices rose, daily life became harder for many people. Food, fuel and electricity costs increased, especially for low income families.
The government used existing welfare programmes to provide some relief. This included utility support and cash assistance. These steps were limited and could not solve the problem fully, but they helped reduce pressure for some households.
The aim was to provide short term help, not permanent solutions.
Governance and Public Administration
Much of government’s work happened behind the scenes. Ministries focused on coordination, quicker approvals and keeping public services running.
These efforts were not very visible, but they were important during a time when many problems were happening at once. Governance during this period was mostly about managing pressure and avoiding breakdowns.
Foreign Engagement and Economic Diplomacy
Foreign relations during this time were shaped by economic need. The government engaged with Gulf countries, regional partners and international institutions to seek financial help, investment and support for energy imports.
The approach was practical and careful. The goal was not to change Pakistan’s global image but to reduce economic pressure at home.
A Period Focused on Stability
Since Shehbaz Sharif took office, government has worked under heavy limits. Economic stress, floods and weak institutions left little space for major development plans.
While few big projects were launched, lot of effort went into keeping systems running and preventing deeper problems. The real impact of these choices will become clearer with time.
This period shows that some governments are judged not by what they build but by how they manage during difficult moments.