PML-N President Nawaz Sharif has directed his party's central and Punjab governments to engage with all political parties and institutions to address the rising inflation, while also advising them to tighten their belts by cutting back on expenditures to free up resources for public welfare.
With Islamabad abuzz with political activities to consolidate support in the last few days, Nawaz Sharif chaired a high-level party meeting at the PML-N Central Secretariat in Lahore on Saturday.
The gathering included Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, federal ministers, senior minister Punjab and other party bigwigs.
The main focus was on easing the burden on the inflation-stricken public.
Discussions also touched on local body elections, power sector reforms, and party organisation. However, there was no word on the developments unfolding in Islamabad.
Speaking to the media outside the party secretariat, Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that the power minister briefed the participants on ongoing reforms aimed at ensuring a steady and affordable power supply.
He further disclosed that Nawaz directed the party to thoroughly review their expenditures in Punjab and Islamabad, shaving off any unnecessary costs to channel more resources toward public relief.
Drawing on PML-N's experience in 2013, when its government pulled the country out of an electricity crisis, Nawaz stressed the need for the same fervour in combating inflation.
Ahsan Iqbal said that the Punjab local body and community development minister provided a briefing on the amendments to local body laws and the upcoming elections.
The party president has directed improvements to the existing laws through amendments to make the system more effective, stressing that local bodies should have the capacity to resolve issues at the grassroots level.
Ahsan mentioned that a special session would soon be convened to reinvigorate and strengthen the party organisation. Both the Punjab and federal governments presented their performance reports to the party president.
He said that while the former premier's plan to visit London was still up in the air, he would return after a medical checkup if he decided to go.
The remainder of his remarks were aimed at criticising Imran Khan.
Apology for May 9
When pressed about engaging with Imran Khan, Ahsan Iqbal said that there would be no dialogue until Imran apologises for the May 9 riots. He compared May 9 to Pakistan's own 9/11, adding that there would be no olive branch extended to PTI supporters involved in the mayhem.
Ahsan Iqbal accused Imran Khan of attempting to secure an NRO through covert means and alleged that PTI's resolution passed in the US Congress had been greased by the Indian lobby.
Despite admitting the severe hardships faced by the public, Ahsan threw shade at those crying wolf the loudest, saying they were the architects of the current debacle.
Regarding Imran Khan's jail conditions, Ahsan claimed that the former PM was being given the VVIP treatment, and feasted on organic chicken with access to exercise equipment.
He said had never seen Imran Khan break a sweat in the jail, unlike Nawaz Sharif, whom he had witnessed drenched in his cell.
Ahsan added that if Imran finds his jail cell unsatisfactory, he should personally apologize to Ahsan, who had also been kept in the same jail.
Recently, PML-N senior leader Hanif Abbasi accused Imran Khan of being provided with contraband in jail. Strangely, the jail in question is under the jurisdiction of Punjab, where Maryam Nawaz holds power.
Any claim of preferential treatment could either highlight PML-N's incompetence or imply establishment support for Imran Khan.
When asked how Imran was receiving such treatment in jail under their control, Ahsan, with a grin, remarked that one might call it their magnanimity to not mistreat their rivals the way they had mistreated.
He asserted that the only way out for Imran Khan was to answer for the £190 million scandal and the undervalued purchase of gifts, recalling that it was Imran who used to demand receipts, and now they were asking the same of him.
When questioned about any efforts for a national dialogue, Ahsan stated that Shehbaz Sharif had recently met with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and would soon meet with other parties.
He claimed that their government had already managed to turn the economy around, with all indicators, including inflation, food inflation, and the tax-to-GDP ratio, reflecting the progress.
He mentioned that the government was reducing the burden of loans and noted that Moody's had upgraded their ranking following Fitch.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif refused to comment on Hanif Abbasi's allegations about Imran Khan receiving contraband in jail.
When asked about dialogue with Imran, Asif expressed his opposition to any such talks.
According to a statement issued later in the day, Nawaz Sharif, while presiding over the important party meeting, said, "For the country to overcome the economic crisis and provide relief to the public, all political parties, governments, and institutions must make collective decisions."
He stressed that federal and provincial governments should reduce expenses and allocate resources for public relief.
The meeting covered the overall political and economic situation and measures for public relief.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif briefed the party president on the federal government's relief measures and also informed Nawaz Sharif about his discussions with other political party leaders.
Efforts are underway to generate financial resources for public relief by eliminating loss-making institutions, the premier informed his party president.
Nawaz Sharif praised his younger brother Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister, and his daughter, the Punjab chief minister, for their diligent efforts in providing relief to the people.
He appreciated the federal government's Rs50 billion and the Punjab government's Rs46 billion public relief packages.
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