Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: NNI
The premier was addressing a gathering organised to mark the Youm-e-Takbeer. On this day in 1998, Pakistan became world’s seventh nuclear power.
“What kind of nuclear power are we if we are still engulfed in darkness instead of light; we have illiteracy instead of education, we have more unemployed people than those with jobs and more terrorism and less peace,” the prime minister remarked.
PM Nawaz said his government has been working hard from the very first day to ensure that people eventually have access to uninterrupted power supply. “We will not stop until we get rid of the curse of load-shedding from this country,” he said.
Hopeful about ending the power crisis soon, the premier said his government is in talks with the Chinese leadership to set up more power plants to meet the country's energy demands.
“It is a big achievement that we have laid foundation of various power plants in less than a year since we came to power,” Prime Minister Nawaz pointed out.
The premier remarked that he was not just responsible to bridge the current demand and supply gap but also responsible for ensuring that electricity requirement for the next 20 years were met as well.
PML-N's achievements
Referring to the hardships that the PML-N government had to face since it won the May 11 general elections last year, the prime minister remarked that the treasury of the government was empty when it came into power and the banks did not have enough capital. He added that they had to take China’s help for the progress of the country.
The premier also said that the coal reserve in Tharparkar had the capacity to generate thousands of megawatts (MW) of electricity, even more than 0.1 million MW and therefore, the federal government was making use of it.
Proud of his government, Nawaz stated that a dam larger than Tarbela and Mangla is being constructed in the country as well.
According to Nawaz, some of the major achievements of the PML-N government include the appreciation of rupee against the US dollar, the 3G-4G spectrum auction which will “generate 0.9 million jobs”, GSP Plus status approved by the European Union which will “hopefully increase our textile exports to around $1 billion”.
The prime minister also said that revenue collected in taxes was expected to increase by 16% this year.
Ensuring the public that his government will utlitise taxpayer money efficiently, Nawaz said that he will not let a single penny be wasted.
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If we could tolerate PPP govt for 5 years, let us also give PML N govt an opportunity to prove their ability for good governance and economic development....come on guys !
@NotSoCommon: The shift you are watching in the stance of moderates and reasonables in Pakistan is due to brutal attacks on journalists and even killings of those who dare say a word against ..... so please. Mr Sethi remains a reasonable person.
Agreed but it seems NS is hurry for inviting Octomber 12. This country is not for people. Its security state therfore if the people suffering its not an Issue but defence.
@gp65
Totally agree with you, I remember watching the episode where Mr Sethi mentioned the "hindu" bomb, and was shocked. I always admired his intellect and his insight on the policies in India and Pakistan, but lately i am noticing a shift towards a more biased view. I may attribute it to the threat Pakistan is seeing in Mr Modi as a PM of India but it does not justify the change in an intellect of the caliber of Mr Sethi
But Sir it is because of the economic concerns that your people are focusing on defense which is costing over proportion expense..
Rex Minor
And you should do your job SINCERELY..
@Chachoo: You are correct but this does not apply to third word countries. Pakistan has created imaginary threats to justify its un-proportional expenses on defense. China is your friend and India will never attack you to tie itself with huge problems. Look at Bangladesh making progress silently with out fear of India. So your PM is right.
We need more economic progress for the Sharif Family!!!!!!!
Cant agree more. Defence spending is already way too much and thats the reason that we are so far back. But the repercussions of this statement can be fatal Sir. God be with you !
The only way that Pakistan can reduce its defense spending is when it settles the PoK issue. Nothing short of that will do for India. The status quo will continue until it becomes too much for one of the two nations. We might not have too long to wait to find out.
@ last he has understood what is more important Bun over Gun....
Mr. Sharif, did you check with your bosses at GHQ before you decided to make such a "blasphemes" statement?
Much matter policy goals and initiatives than whatever PTI has come up or is currently demanding.
You can not disarm the army when you are in the middle of multiple wars which sucks in money like a black hole. The root cause, i think is, the conflicts between Pakistan and India. They should both decrease the army budget in sync with one another. Or Mr. Prime Minister, you are inviting another martial law.
A few minutes of interaction with Modi and how much NS has changed for better!
honorable pm making good speech but my only suggestion is put up industries in other provinces also other than punjab.
@Author : The premier also said that the coal reserve in Tharparkar had the capacity to generate thousands of megawatts (MW) of electricity, even more than 0.1 million MW and therefore, the federal government was making use of it. . This is fantastic. It end Pakistan's Power Load shedding and make it a distant Memory. Indeed Pakistan will have commenced its First Steps to Pakistan becoming the next South Asian Economic Power. . Well Done Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif! . Cheers
@ Muslim Leaguer are you serious of what you wrote above ?
we have friends on all borders which can never harm us. Therefore we dont need defence budget and require metro trains
@Not Surprised Ghaas ki roti khayenge, Par bomb jaroor banayenge. This Country too is changing her words that economic development should be bigger priority
In past India never said that We will make missile to destroy China, we will break USA. and at Present too Modi is talking about Development and Development. Anyone can get influenced if one politician is talking about Nation and development, huge respect he is receive from all over India.
by My statement I didnt really mean that Modi made NS to make such statement. But definitely if NS evaluated Modi's campaign, his victory and the respect he received then NS must be impressed by him.
Pakistan has flourished in all major areas of economy under the leadership of Mian sahib; inception of power projects to reduce loadshedding (in early 2013, the loadshedding was upto 22 hours), transport & communication revolution (Metros mass transits in various cities, 3G &4G), massive reduction in suicide attacks (will be completely eliminated soon) and re-start of peace process with India are all the great achievements of PMLN Government that still has a long way to go InshaAllah. Long Live Pakistan!
'Hegemonic designs of India' that Pakistan wants to resist are not based on nuclear domination of India, but due to India's 5,000-year-old brand name, India’s superior economic prowess; and her prolific diasporas leading to a GDP that is expanding. By the way on defense spending, a 3% of Indian GDP of $1.85 Trillion US dollars at current prices is 55 Billion $ and even crippling 5% of GDP of Pakistan at $211.09 Billion US dollars at current prices is $10 billion. The gap is so wide, there is no $ to $ matching of these defense expenditure.
Peace and coexistence is the only answer. War is a costly business, nations who fight war and prepare for war beyond the needs of their people end up imploding. This is the course of the history of mankind. South Asia is home to half the world's poor. South Asia’s economy is one of the fastest growing in the world, yet it is also home to the largest concentration of people living in debilitating poverty. How do the two co-exist? The problems of South Asia – poverty, conflict, hunger, and gender disparities. South Asia presents a depressing paradox. It is among the fastest growing regions in the world. But it is also home to the largest concentration of people living in poverty on earth. While South Asia is at a far more advanced stage of development than Sub-Saharan Africa, it has many more poor people.
@Sudhanshu Swami: Nonsense!
In just one meeting, he got influenced by Modi.
Good vision but unfortunately both countries have hawks who does not want friendship between the two countries......basically based on ideological differences.....then the army of both countries cannot afford to let there be peace as it will reduce their dominance.....hefty salaries, perks etc; and post retirement benefits.....
@anon "Could somebody explain me….does India also celebrate the “nuclear test day” as we do in the name of “Youm-e-Takbeer”" or is it we alone after all they also did the same ?"
We don't. Most people here don't even know or care to know when we got our nukes. We know we have nukes, but that's all haha.
NS and his Government is on the right track.Good days for Pakistan ahead!!
Economic progress ?? Forget about it until law and order and extremism is controlled. PM Nawaz should focus on controlling religious extremist who have high jacked the country.
@Anon: we should make India our role model.
@Anon: No we don't celebrate Nuclear test day... most even don't know the date.. For us it was more of a necessity due to Indo-China war.
NS is talking about his own defense because he has 4,000 policemen at Riwind and new BMWs in squad.
Mr PM if you speak the truth blatantly on Youm e takbeer, The Marshall law mongers will make moves against you.
So make democracy and economy strong first. Don,t think about decreasing defense budget.
@Anon: No India may not celebrate Youm- I -Takbeer but they started the nuclear arms race in South Asia by taking a Canadian gifted nuclear reactor and diverting its intended peaceful energy use to making nuclear weapons. I agree that Pakistan should focus on economic progress but Nawaz Sharif should also understand the importance of an effective deterrence. After all, India spends much more as a percentage of its budget than Pakistan even though poverty in India is far greater. This alone should tell the PM something. I agree Nawaz Sharif has done a good job so far in starting projects all over Pakistan but he should also show moderation in his foreign policy and not be caught up in emotions.
Nawaz Sharif´s low intelligence quotient is only a pinch higher than his voters!
@Anon: "Could somebody explain me….does India also celebrate the “nuclear test day” as we do in the name of “Youm-e-Takbeer”" or is it we alone after all they also did the same ?" . Is he the same guy who was patron-saint of AQ Khan?
Oh Ya!!!! Sharif Bhai........How you intend to concentrate on economy?? By Begging for billions of dollars at higher interest rates???
That's not economic development rather it's economic suicide.......The effects will show up 10-20 years later just like 'Shaheed' Mohtarma and yourself went for IPP's that are killing PAKISTANI's today.
so you make Pakistan a proxy of India for your own economic progress for which you had apparently took your businessman son along to appear before modi
@Sunny:
Thumbs up for your sincerity...talking like an indian...without any bias or holier than thou attitude.
Defense cannot be overlooked and ignored. Without a sound and secure defense mechanism there will be no economic progress. A case in point is India and China. Mian Nawaz sharif will never learn. Don't antagonize the army, and what a day to say such myopic views...28th may. He seems to have lost his way and he steers left right and center.
if you really mean that then bring your money and businesses to pakistan
Can chaiwalla become PM of Pakistan? Think about it.
Hmmm.. seems he got good treatment in India.
Well, it is the most sensible statement made by any Pak PM till date. Nawaz Sharif realises that there is no threat on the Eastern border and Pakistan's economy which is in doldrums needs to be focused. Good relations with India would help in reducing defence expenditure and divert it to boost the economy. Hope the establishment backs NS to make a win win situation for both countries.
This is what Moodi told you?????
Great Statement by the Honorable Prime Miniter Sharif. Highly appreciated. In last 66 years Army, bureaucracy and agencies had earned and misused billions by the name of National Defense. While the nation is below the poverty line and in worst crisis. The insecurity and instability and 66 years of violation of the constitution, suppression, killing, occupation, interference and destabilization in neighboring states and the whole region is just because of such poor Nation treasury such institution had been spent on such activities. They are still unaccountable and not trail to justice. The problem of Pakistan is not its security, but its violation and blind propaganda and a threat to others. The Era of occupation had passed and they have failed in their agenda of occupation, extending boarders and destabilization others. But ofcousre they have succeeded in dishonoring, misleading and dragging its Nation into worst crisis and disasters. Now this is an Era of Socioeconomic development and the world is quite civilized. If Pakistan real need its progress and prosperity, then each and every institution must be accountable and under the system of true justice. The true and honest democracy must prevail and the Nation must be respected. While the fake and blind strategies and using innocent people for own agenda must be totally stopped. The army and whole establishment must respect the Nation; their faith, culture, system, diversity and believe. The prime duty of the army and agencies to protect each and every individual and their honor, humanity and do an act of justice and in consultation with Democratic Govt.. Long Live Democracy and Stop dictatorship. All the fake operations, killing, occupation, torturing, abducting, suppressing and inhumilation must be stopped....Pakistan need economic prosperity Not Occupation.
First protect your minorities from terrorists group and be brave enough to call them gangs of Sunni terrorists.
Just one visit, change mind,
And you should focus on entire Pakistan not just Lahore. And just for the sake of democracy, please change 17 key ministers who happen to be your family members. And lastly, economic progress won't come through metro buses it would be achieved by longterm planning... build damns, listen to samar mubarak mand to extract gas from Thar rather than bowing before the oil mafia.
Sanity Prevailed! God bless The people of Pakistan for choosing this business minded leader then any war mongering dude
You got it wrong, Man. Pakistan should increase (double/triple) defence expenditure in fact. Pakistan spends lowest in the region.
Economic progress by taking loans. Yes Sir 'you are right'
Hi guys take it easy and just chillllll!!!!!!! "Little problems in Big Cities are always happen" Enjoy the weather!
And the prime minister commented on this issue just after getting access to way expensive imported fully loaded, shinning BMWs for his entourage...
A nuclear power that can't even provide electricity and safety for its citizens.
What a joke.
Mr Prime Minister, be a Prime Minister. Please don't make blanket statements. Be diplomatic and keep focus on everything. Just because we can defend ourselves military doesn't mean we stop. PS. The country you just visited is planning to spend $200billion on defence yet focus will be on economy as well.
He's right...end this paranoid fixation on India. India will forever remain conventionally superior to Pakistan due to its sheer size.
Economic progress is the way to move forward.
Zindabad N. Sharif.
GPS plus was worked in PPP time. only granted in your time. power inducted from system was made during PPP time. When you took over Dollar was on 98 so keeping it their is no big achievement Tax is being collected from the poor and spent on rich specially your BMW please tell us how many new tax payers specially big fishes are being taxed this year? Selling a license to a company is achievement?
Dear PM
please tell us what you did in education, Health ?
Regards,
Pakistani from punjab
Its a good move ;).Mashallah.
Introduce proper taxation and you can focus on both....Russia has proved tht in todays time you need conventional military as well...but our PM doesnt follow such news I guess..!!!!
Well said Mr Prime Minister. Now act through on what you said. We do not need a bloated military. We need schools, hospitals, jobs, utility services, peace, prosperity, progress, federalism, rule of law, and a government that looks after the welfare of its people. We will no longer accept the excuse that since our neighbors are belligerent our people cannot get clean drinking water, nor education, nor healthcare, nor jobs.
Could somebody explain me....does India also celebrate the "nuclear test day" as we do in the name of "Youm-e-Takbeer"" or is it we alone after all they also did the same ?
Lets stay with the facts of NS: He makes this profound statement the day he froze $11 billion of Pakistanis monies whilst took his own and family out??? Who is a liar here, Pakistanis or NS and his family?
Economic Progress needs Peaceful economic Environment, No industry can Progress under threat and fear. So If Pakistan law and order situation along energy crisis improves, it will automatically bring a robust boost to economy of Pakistan.
That is an honest statement. I am an Indian but have the honour of knowing lot of Pakistanis in London and I know that they are hard working and nice people. Economic prosperity of Pakistan is as much in favour of India as in favour of Pakistan. Pakistanis, irrespective of their other concerns, should not overlook the significance of economic development. Even their words will have more weight it they are big enough players economically. Pakistan and India are basically on self harm path investing so much on military and so little on development. India has been as much concerned about these issues but have continued to grow, albeit at a sluggish pace and consequently is better received in international community. Pakistan should rise to realise its full potential and other issues will be resolved amicably in time. Let there be peace for everyone and everywhere.
I agree with you Mr. Prime Minister
Somebody should tell His Highness Nawaz Sharif that Both tasks could be accomplished side by side. Learn from America, Europe and Russia where top Defense contractors are also contributing to the economy and innovation. Many new Innovations come from DARPA, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace, Dassault Aviation, Alenia Aermacchi, Sukhoi, Lockheed, Boeing, Airbus, BE, Saab, Rolls-Royce, General Electric etc . Infact most of the contemporary progress in the research and development is the result of transcending ideas in State of the Art Defense research.
I am a PTI supporter but well said PM. The problem is that to have economic growth you have to invest in education and bring good governance, something that your governments have never done, whether at the provincial or national level.
My guess is that Modi has given a card of supporting Pakistan as the secondary power in the SAARC. That could be the driver behind this statement.
Sir! keep it up (Y)
Modi effect, some sane words from NS :)
Keep it up Mr. PM.
Only if words match actions!!!