Of dharnas and strikes: PM Nawaz asks opposition parties to act maturely

Premier says other parties should let him work for the betterment of Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD: Without naming any party currently working on forming a 'grand alliance' against his government, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday said all political parties should act maturely and let him work in peace during his tenure.

The prime minister was addressing a ceremony in Islamabad for his Laptop Scheme.

“There are certain elements working against the country and our younger generation who aspire to change things for Pakistan,” he said, adding that the nation voted for Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) in last year’s election because of its our poll agenda.

He lashed out at opposition parties for staging dharnas and protests, and planning to disrupt the system.

Express News screengrab of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chairperson Prime Minister Youth Program Maryam Nawaz.

The premier told the students and others present at the gathering that his government has been working on the election promises from the very first day and has not deviated from the mission even an inch.

“I campaigned for the youth before election and we have introduced schemes for them such as loan disbursement, fee reimbursement and laptop allocation,” he said, highlighting that his government was the only one which trusted the young generation with nation’s wealth, despite strong criticism.

“We have already received the first instalment from the loan recipients,” he boasted, to which the crowd cheered.

He then added that: “Our youth has skills, education and passion but what they don't have is enough resources and funds; we have given them the opportunity to prove themselves and take the country forward.”

According to the data provided by the prime minister during the event, around 12,000 people have been given loan so far. He said his government will make sure more deserving people are brought under the scheme and that he trusts the youth to return every penny back to the state.

Commenting on the neutrality of his youth-related programs, PM Nawaz said political affiliations have no influence on who benefits from these schemes. “I’m the prime minister of everyone; those who voted for me and those who didn’t,” he said.

He questioned his rivals whether the steps his government has taken up till now are worth praising or not. “Are we not working in the right direction? Are these schemes not good initiatives?” he asked, adding that he plans to overcome all the major problems faced by Pakistan in the next three years.

“We will bridge the demand-and-supply gap in our energy sector, we will ensure our economy keeps progressing, we will develop Gwadar port in accordance with the international standards, we will build a road network from north to south, we will end lawlessness,” the premier said, listing his plans for the country.

Laptop scheme

The ceremony started with the Punjab police giving a guard of honour to all the students gathered inside the auditorium to receive their laptops. As per the scheme, around 100,000 laptops will be distributed amongst high achieving students each year.

Express News screengrab of police personnel giving a guard of honour.

Maryam Nawaz, while speaking during the event, said the government has made sure the scheme was transparent and that deserving students were awarded laptops.

Adding to this, the premier said since the government could not start the scheme in its first year in power, it will adjust last year’s laptops in next three years’ share. He further said the scheme also has a quota for students with disabilities.

With reference to his government’s fee reimbursement scheme, Nawaz said around 40,000 students have been given money, however, more students will be added to the plan.