Elections will be held on time: PM Abbasi

Throws cold water on opponents’ hopes of early polls


APP October 23, 2017
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. PHOTO: FILE PHOTO

ISLAMABAD: I am one hundred per cent sure, elections will be held in 2018, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said on Monday during an interview on PTV. He advised political opponents to wait patiently till the Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz completes its term, referring to how certain political elements were holding on to expectations of early polls.

Abbasi maintained that the strength of the democratic system was linked with its continuity and the completion of tenures by elected governments. To a query, he expressed confidence that the PML-N government would accomplish all its development projects.

Abbasi becomes first Pakistani PM to fly a military helicopter

The prime minister said the PML-N government would leave a better, prosperous and more secure Pakistan when it completes its term in 2018.

“We will complete our developmental schemes and set a sound future course and direction for the next government,” he added.

The PML-N would also form the next government by virtue of its pro-development performance and execution of unprecedented mega projects, he predicted, while saying its political adversaries would go to the public with only the baggage of hollow criticism.

Army chief has right to comment on economy: PM Abbasi

He also advised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan to be patient as the public would decide the fate of the government.

To a question, the prime minister said with the import of LNG, the gas deficiency would be overcome and an abundance of gas would be available for domestic consumption and for, CNG, fertilizer, and other industrial sectors during the winter.

He said prior to the PML-N government tenure, its predecessors tried and failed to import LNG at least seven times. “It was made possible with the PML-N government, which brought LNG at the lowest contract rates throughout the world,” he claimed.

The prime minister opined that the only solution to energy deficiency in the country was associated with the import of LNG which also helped in lowering power prices in the country.

PM Abbasi to hand over D-8 chairmanship to Turkey today

About 20 to 25 per cent extra gas would be available to the domestic consumers without snapping supply to other sectors, he added.

PM Abbasi said Pakistan had been fighting the biggest war against terrorism with its own resources and rejected the impression that its campaigns against terrorism were being funded from abroad.

“It’s our own war. We have been fighting it and would continue to fight it with our own resources,” he emphasised.

He lauded the Pakistan Army for successfully defeating the menace of terrorism. Pakistan had offered huge sacrifices as a large number of civilian and law enforcement agencies personnel laid down their lives in this war.

“The whole world acknowledges this.”

PM, his top men meet COAS to allay concerns on economy

To a question, the prime minister said the PML-N government inherited a law-and-order situation and noted that the internal threats also impacted the economy.

He particularly referred Karachi, the port city and economic hub of the country, and the tribal areas, but in the same tone added that the government was up to the challenges and improved the security situation, besides bringing about an economic turnaround.

The prime minister said Pakistan enjoyed the highest consumer growth in the world and it was taking steps to further spike economic indicators including the growth rate in its exports.

Export growth is targeted at around 25 per cent in the first quarter of 2018. With increases in exports, many economic issues would be settled, he added.

The country today has low inflation and high growth rates, he added.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ