Govt negotiators addressing all issues: PM Nawaz

'Govt’s committee has taken the nation into confidence and are also keeping the media in the loop,' adds Nawaz.

LAHORE:

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday assured that government negotiators, currently in talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) intermediaries, are and will be dealing with all issues, refusing to say much more on the matter.

Speaking to the media after attending the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI)’s 37 Export Award ceremony, the premier said, “The government’s committee has taken the nation into confidence and are also keeping the media in the loop.” The PML-N government is committed to improving law and order by weeding out extremism and militancy, he added.

He spoke about efforts to resolve the chronic energy crisis as well. “The PML-N government is fully aware of its responsibilities. We are utilising all sources of electricity, as I believe in actions and not in mere promises.”

More electricity and gas is being supplied to the industry compared to last year to facilitate the increase in production and exports, claimed Nawaz. “Now our industry and power looms are functional and labourers in Faisalabad have ended their strikes.”

The government has accepted the energy challenge and before the end of its term, it would overcome the crisis, he said. “The gas shortage would take one more year to end.”

Nawaz Sharif recalled that in his recent visit to the United States, he had communicated to the US president, secretary of state and other officials for trade instead of aid.

The prime minister said the PML-N government has always encouraged the private sector, adding that it was a very unfortunate day for Pakistan when profit-earning institutions were nationalised just to oblige cronies and workers.

It is not the government’s job to run factories but it has to frame policies for industries.

The government was also paying attention to road infrastructure projects, especially the Lahore-Karachi Motorway to improve trade activities in the country.

Meanwhile, the Khunjrab-Gwadar trade corridor would bring about development and prosperity in the entire region of Gilgit-Baltistan and the country, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 9^th, 2014.