ISLAMABAD, Mar 15 (NNI): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said the incumbent coalition government is making all out efforts to bring the economy out of prevailing quagmire and put the country ahead on path of development and prosperity.
Talking to a delegation of Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors in Islamabad on Wednesday, he said the fears of default have ended now due to prudent policies of the government implemented during its eleven months rule.
About ongoing talks with International Monetary Fund, the Prime Minister expressed the confidence that agreement with the IMF will be inked very soon.
He said the government has to accept the tough conditions of the IMF due to the previous government’s agreement.
He said the present government is cognizant of the sufferings of common people due to prevailing situation, emerged due to acceptance of the strict conditions by the previous government.
The Prime Minister lauded the role of all the coalition partners for running the government’s affairs effectively saying that the government is united and moving ahead to bring the country out of present situation.
The Prime Minister said the government has taken a number of steps with consensus of all the coalition partners to address sufferings of the common man and for development of the country.
He said we are launching a programme of free distribution of wheat flour among the deserving people across the country during the holy month of Ramazan.
Shehbaz Sharif said the government while utilizing its own funds spent 100 billion rupees to help flood affectees people transparently under Benazir Income Support Programme through National Disaster Management Authority.
He said the government also organized donors’ conference for flood victims in Geneva and succeeded to muster international support for the flood hit people.
He said the government is also standing shoulder to shoulder with the quake-affected people of Turkiye and Syria and has already sent relief goods to help the victims.
About elections in the country, the Prime Minister said holding election within stipulated timeframe is constitutional requirement and the government is fulfilling its responsibilities in this regard.
He said under the decision of Council of Common Interests, the government is holding census and all required funds have also been provided in this connection despite financial constraints.
He said some provinces have expressed their reservations on procedure of census and the government will remove these reservations to hold elections in August or September.
Shehbaz Sharif said being President of PML-N, he has already directed the party to start procedure for submission of nomination papers for elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Prime Minister said the Election Commission of Pakistan is the sole institution to hold the elections and the government will implement its decisions.
About Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan, the Prime Minister said it is for the first time in the history of Pakistan that a politician is defying the courts and their orders and even considers himself as a superior than the constitution and law.
He said Imran Khan is attacking judiciary and judges and creating unrest in the country.
Shehbaz Sharif said being President of PML-N, he will continue to play his role to save the state.
Responding to a question about political consultations for sorting out national issues, the Prime Minister said dialogue and negotiations is the only way forward and we have tried to invite PTI for talks, but they always escape talks.
About the elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he said the decision to hold elections there is up to the Election Commission and government will implement whatever decision is taken by the Commission.
Answering yet another question regarding former US Special Representative on Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad’s statement, Shehbaz Sharif said it would have been better if he had also raised voice on the political vendetta against the opposition parties during PTI regime. NNI
