Govt to exit before completing term: PM

Shehbaz says he will accept results of next election; promises economic turnaround if re-elected

LAHORE/SIALKOT:

 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday that the coalition government would complete its tenure next month but it would hand over power to an interim set-up early.

Addressing various events in Lahore and Sialkot, the prime minister promised he would “honour the people’s decision” in the next general election, but pleaded to the masses to keep “facts” before them, when deciding the future course.

The prime minister blamed the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for the destruction of the national economy that created difficulties for the people.
Shehbaz said that if his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was voted to power again, it would turnaround the national economy and put the country on the path to progress and prosperity.

“I am not saying that you should vote for [PML-N Quaid] Nawaz Sharif or me,” the prime minister said while addressing the ceremony to distribute cheques among the youth as part of the government’s Youth, Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme at the Governor House in Lahore.

“I am only asking that you take into consideration the evidence-based image and testimonials before you as well as the destruction brought on the country during the last four years [PTI regime’s term],” he continued.

“And if it is indeed Nawaz Sharif that you choose in the upcoming polls, then I promise that we will collectively turn the entire situation around and put this country on the path to prosperity,” he added.

He stressed that it was the people’s decision, whom they wished to bring to power. However, he pledged that he would “honour” whatever would be the public’s decision in the next general election.

Shehbaz lauded the statesmanship of three-time prime minister Nawaz, who faced the worst kind of political vendetta to the point that the entire Sharif family were sent into exile.

On the other hand, Shehbaz accused the PTI chief of having had a “PML-N phobia”, as he (PTI chief) was “hell-bent” upon putting the PML-N leadership in jails by framing them in fake cases.

The previous government, he said, was brought to power through fraudulent elections, and it kept on attacking the opposition with corruption cases during its four years in power but failed to prove them.

The prime minister said that the PTI’s tenure was tainted with huge corruption scams, including sugar and wheat, BRT Peshawar, Malam Jabba, sale of Toshakhana gifts, embezzlement of money returned by the UK government, etc.

“Allegations, scandals and the use of foul language were rife during the PTI’s government. About $3 billion in loans were given to powerful families,” he said. “Why this amount was not spent on the future of the youth.”

On the other hand, he said: “Nawaz Sharif was accused in Panama Papers case but given punishment on Iqama charges. Nawaz Sharif appeared before courts regularly but the PTI chief was being granted bail.”

Economy and the IMF

Referring to the announcement of reduction in prices of petroleum products on Saturday, Shehbaz said that it was all possible due to the appreciation in the value of the rupee against the US dollar.

The prime minister added that it was also the IMF programme’s positive aspect which brought stability to the value of the rupee. About the Stand-by Arrangement, he said, it was something like a “sweetmeat”.

Speaking about the Prime Minister’s Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme, Shehbaz said that all the youth programmes in the country were started during the tenure of Nawaz.

“The success of loan scheme can be gauged from the fact that 99% loans were returned back to banks,” he said. “With sacrifices and hard work, they can change country’s fate.”

PM’s Youth Laptop Scheme

Meanwhile, addressing a ceremony to distribute laptops under the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme at Government College Women University in Sialkot, Shehbaz said that the government would complete its tenure.

“Next month, the government will complete its tenure and a caretaker government will be formed,” he said. “If people give us a chance, our government will bring revolution in the field of education,” he remarked.

The prime minister stated that the policy of merit would make Pakistan a great country, adding that no nation could make progress if women were not made a productive part of the society.

The prime minister added that welfare of the people was the top priority of the government, assuring that 100,000 laptops would be provided to the students in the current financial year.

Later, Prime Minister Shehbaz also met with a delegation, comprising members of parliament and office-bearers of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI). He received a briefing about the issues facing the chamber.

On the occasion, Shehbaz directed for formulation of a policy for establishment of one-window facilitation centres for resolving issues of the exporters.

(WITH INPUT FROM APP)