Economic hardships are ‘temporary’: Qureshi

Foreign Minister attends Seerat-un-Nabi conference at police lines

MULTAN:

Shedding light on the inflation bomb dropped on the country in terms of the recent hike in power and gas tariffs apart from a substantial increase in the prices of petroleum products, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday described the prevailing economic hardships as “temporary” and said the incumbent government was trying its best to strengthen the country's economy. 

Speaking to the people hailing from his constituency NA-156 in Multan, the foreign minister maintained that the PTI led government was well aware of the difficulties and problems being faced by the masses.
"Poverty alleviation is top priority of the government," he informed reporters. “Ehsaas Programme, Health Card Scheme and some other policies of the government would surely help reduce poverty and provide maximum relief to the poor people.” 

The foreign minister added that the country was heading towards industrial development which would surely help in providing more jobs to the unemployed people besides strengthening the national economy.

He highlighted how the current economic turmoil was due to ill-conceived policies of the previous governments.

Criticizing the Opposition, the FM stated that those who chanted the slogan of maintaining the sanctity of vote were actually the ones who violated the dignity of voters.
“What have the PPP and PML-N given to voters during the last 30 years of their rule?” he questioned.

Lambasting how the PPP and PML-N looted national treasury, Qureshi said both the parties damaged the voters economically.

He remarked that leaders of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) were making noise to conceal their corruption and avoid the due process of accountability.

“The incumbent government, however, committed to hold looters accountable, no matter which political party or group they belonged to,” the FM said.

Qureshi observed that the corrupt people will have to face an indiscriminate accountability process.
The foreign minister further said economic diplomacy was launched to attract foreign investment.
“Instructions have been issued to diplomatic missions abroad to bring the investors to Pakistan from across the globe,” he said. “Pakistan is an attractive country for investment. The more foreign investment we have, the more employment opportunities there will be.”

Earlier, FM Qureshi attended different events in the city, including "Seerat-un-Nabi Conference" at Police Lines.

Addressing the event, he said the revolutionary changes in society could only be made by following the teachings of The Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH).

The foreign minister highlighted how the glorious life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was a role model for the entire humanity, adding that it is necessary to acquaint our youth with the character and teachings.

He said the government had announced it will celebrate Eid Milad-Un-Nabi (SAW) in an unprecedented way and Prime Minister Imran Khan also announced special ten-day celebrations.

The foreign minister said the purpose of celebrating the special ten-days was to make the new generation aware about the beauty and character of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and on the other hand to send a message to the world community that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is dearer to us more than anything else in the world.

He encouraged the younger generation to study and apply the lifestyle of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in order to become an ambassador of Muslims to the world. “The love for Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) was an essential part of our faith.”