PM calls for 'grand dialogue' for progress

Premier says govt raised fuel prices with a ‘heavy heart’

LAHORE:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday emphasised the need for a 'grand dialogue', involving all stakeholders, for progress in education, health, industries and other sectors of the economy.

The premier also maintained that his government had to raise petroleum rates with a “heavy heart”, as fuel prices had skyrocketed around the globe.

PM Shehbaz noted that the current situation in Pakistan was difficult, but the country would soon progress at a fast pace.

“We have to think beyond personal interest for the country's progress and development,” he remarked while addressing a gathering at the inauguration ceremony of the first phase of 600-beds at Lahore’s Indus Hospital.

“Those stakeholders should think above themselves and their personal likes and dislikes and accord top priority to the progress and prosperity of the nation.”

The prime minister stressed the need for developing a consensus over the national economy that it should not be disrupted with the changes of governments.

He added that nobody should have permission to do politics on health, agriculture, etc.

"You need to see the bigger picture. You will have to kill your ego for the nation's prosperity.”

PM Shehbaz also hailed the philanthropists who had set up and ran trust hospitals for the needy and ailing, adding that the “sincere sentiments” of good-natured people who worked for any government should not be given any political colour.

He said during the PML-N’s previous tenure, 480,000 deserving children had benefited from the Punjab Education Endowment Fund.

The premier had also called for a "charter of economy" in the past, particularly on May 27, that was similar to the grand dialogue he was proposing now.

He regretted that he had made the proposal nearly four years ago but it was rejected.

The prime minister noted that nations were not formed by building magnificent buildings, but hard work, integrity and sacrifices coupled with knowledge and latest technology.

He added that a country could not survive on debt.

He noted that Bangladesh’s annual exports had now touched $40 billion annually while that of Pakistan still stood at $27-28 billion.

Speaking about the fuel price hike, the premier maintained that a monthly subsidy worth Rs2,000 would be provided to millions belonging to the low-income segments of society.

He claimed that the former PTI government had not raised fuel prices in time. He termed the previous government’s decision of decreasing petroleum prices in the month of March as a “ploy”, claiming they it had not extended any kind of relief to the people during its rule.

He said that measures were being taken to decrease power outages in the country.

He added that he had chaired an emergency meeting a day earlier in which he had ordered a mechanism should be chalked out to decrease its duration.

“Power outages for more than two hours a day will not be permitted,” he claimed.

PM Shehbaz said he was ready to be held accountable for his two-and-a-half month rule. "However, what about the previous rulers who had governed the country for the last three and a half years?" he added.

Punjab Governor Muhammad Baligh ur Rehman, Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique and other notables were present on the occasion.

(With input from APP)