Ruling alliance claims magic number in parliament

ISLAMABAD:

The government showed its parliamentary strength on Monday at separate dinner-receptions hosted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Zardari, with insiders indicating that the ruling coalition hit the magic number of 224 in the National Assembly, enough to pass constitutional amendments.

Addressing the parliamentarians, the president and the prime minister stressed the need for forging unity to steer the country out of ongoing challenges, and further strengthening parliamentary democracy and promoting political stability to put Pakistan on the path to development.

Shehbaz took the members of the coalition parties and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) into confidence on the government's legislative agenda for the current sessions of the National Assembly and the Senate. The prime minister instructed all the members to remain in Islamabad.

Shehbaz thanked the parliamentarians from the allied parties for their cooperation in the government affairs. An agreement was reached during the gathering that amendments would be tabled in parliament during the current session of the National Assembly and the Senate.

Addressing the lawmakers, Shehbaz highlighted the drop in inflation rate to 9.6% in August that he said reflects a positive impact of the government measures on the economy. He indicated a further reduction in inflation in September terming it "excellent news for the nation".

"The efforts to save the country from default, which began in April 2022, have been successful by the grace of Allah, and the initial signs of reduced inflation have appeared," the prime minister said. "We sacrificed our political capital to save the country from economic collapse," he added.

He emphasised that the positive results of the government's economic reforms had started to reach the public in the form of prosperity. "Achieving Pakistan's development goals is impossible without easing the common man's problems and their ensuring economic wellbeing."

In this regard, the prime minister said, digitisation of the economy was his government's top priority, and efforts were already afoot by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to complete this process. He assured that the government was taking steps for low-income groups regarding electricity bills.

"Efforts to reduce the size and expenses of the government, through rightsizing and downsizing, have begun. The country needs political stability and continuity in policies. To pull Pakistan out of economic difficulties, everyone must work together," he stressed.

The prime minister condemned the inappropriate language used in a political party's rally on Sunday, saying that no amount of condemnation would be enough. The parliamentarians appreciated the prime minister's efforts for bringing economic stability and expressed full confidence in his leadership.

Separately, President Asif Zardari hosted a dinner reception in honour of the parliamentarians belonging to the Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians (PPPP), Awami National Party (ANP), Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PMLQ), and the Istehkaam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

Those present on the occasion included Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani, Religious Affairs Minister Chaudhary Salik Hussain, Punjab Governor Saleem Haider Khan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, ANP President Senator Aimal Wali Khan, former prime minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, IPP President Aleem Khan, and others.

Speaking on the occasion, the president called for promoting tolerance and mutual respect as well as strengthening democratic institutions. He said that political, economic and governance reforms were essential for improving public service delivery and bringing economic prosperity.

Zardari stressed the need for rising above partisan political interests and working with commitment for the welfare of the people. The president said that he was against the politics of confrontation that harmed the country.

The parliamentarians from different political parties suggested various measures to bring stability and provide relief to the people. They also appreciated the president for his political wisdom and vision in evolving consensus on issues of national significance.

(WITH INPUT FROM WAQAS AHMED)