ISLAMABAD, Aug 08 (NNI): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for national solidarity, unity and harmony to overcome the challenges facing the country, and also showered praise on Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir for extending full cooperation to the political government in the best interest of Pakistan.
Addressing Ulema and Mashaikh Conference which was held at Pakistan-China Friendship Centre in Islamabad on Thursday, Shehbaz Sharif said there is an unprecedented cooperation between the political government and the constitutional institutions, emphasizing this collaboration are in the national interests and a role model for the future.
He urged the religious scholars belonging to different schools of thought to preach the message of peace and brotherhood and raise voice against divisiveness. Religious scholars must play their role to counter extremists, he added.
The prime minister regretted the propaganda campaign against the country’s security forces on the social media, saying the security personnel have rendered immense sacrifices for the security and defence of the country.
Calling the May 9 attacks “the most heart-wrenching” incident in the country’s history, the prime minister highlighted that the characters behind the tragedy of 1971 met their fate in Bangladesh amidst the recent developments in the country.
The prime minister declared that the government is working tirelessly to address the economic challenges.
Recognizing the difficulties faced by the masses due to the inflation, Shehbaz said 50 billion rupees have been diverted from the development fund to the provision of subsidy for three months to the electricity consumers who use up to two hundred units.
He, however, agreed that this is not sufficient as there is also burden on the consumers using up to 500 units. He said consultations are taking place to provide relief and reduce burden on the poor people. He said a comprehensive plan is being worked out in this regard.
Referring to the sacrifices rendered by the people under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for the creation of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the need for working tirelessly to transform the country into the one envisioned by our forefathers.
He said that the challenges pervading the country necessitated learning lessons from past weaknesses and mistakes and making sincere efforts to develop Pakistan as a country as was dreamt by the forefathers and sacrificed hundreds of thousands of lives during the Pakistan Movement.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said the nation, which was about to celebrate its 77th Independence Day on August 14, was yet to find its destination, but the goal was achievable provided the dedicated efforts were made and the teachings of Quran and Sunnah were followed.
He called for the efforts to wipe out Fitna al Khawarij – a term referring to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan – which he said was involved in anti-Pakistan activities despite claiming to be a Pakistani. He also criticized the use of social media to spread lies and propaganda – particularly after 2018- instead of appreciating the government’s efforts for public services.
He said even the army soldiers, who sacrificed their lives to protect millions of other children from being orphaned, were being humiliated on social media.
However, he assured the gathering that the coalition government and the COAS were in consultation to work out a comprehensive plan to ease the inflation-stricken people and the provinces would soon announce their respective plans in this regard.
He said the IMF Program was a compulsion to bring economic about stability, productive employment and reforms in the FBR and power sector.
Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir who was the guest of honour on the occasion also addressed the conference.
In his remarks on the occasion, Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhary Salik Hussain urged the religious scholars to play their role to counter extremist elements. He said these elements distort the teachings of our great religion Islam to stoke instability and chaos, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to ensure peace in the country.
Salik Hussain also called upon the religious scholars to spearhead an awareness campaign for the protection of rights of minorities.
The minister said the country has been facing the scourge of terrorism for decades. “Let’s work together to build a prosperous Pakistan,” he added. NNI
