PM Shehbaz spells out economic priorities for nation
Pakistan
PM Shehbaz spells out economic priorities for nation
ISLAMABAD (APP) - Prime Minister-elect Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Monday announced immediate remedial measures to ensure economic turnaround by stemming against the rising tide of inflation and price hike in the country.
Narrating the specific contours of his government’s economic priorities in the National Assembly soon after his successful nomination to the office of the prime minister, he referred to the poor performance of the PTI’s government during the last four years, and said that with mere words, changes could not take place. During the last three and half years, attempts were made to infuse venom into different strata of society, leaving the economy in shambles.
He said the country’s economic situation was in the dismal situation but now after a change in the government, the stock market was surging.
Narrating the priorities of his government, he said through untiring struggle and unity they would strive to achieve the desired results of economic turnaround and affordability of commodities of life to the lower segments of the society by saving the stranded boat and steering it to the bank.
Shehbaz Sharif in a sarcastic manner to the PTI’s tall claims, said practical steps were prerequisite for achieving the ideals. He regretted that if his idea for ‘pact of economy’ was heeded to by the previous ruler, the economy would not have been in such a sorry state of affairs. But the PTI rulers, had rejected it out of their haughtiness and arrogance.
The prime minister-elect further said that the country was facing huge fiscal budget deficit, besides, the current account deficit, adding due to the poor policies of the previous government, about 6 million people had been rendered as unemployed while million others had been pushed below the poverty line, while during the last four years, commodity prices had reached to the unaffordable level.
He said not a brick was laid by the former ruler as they only rejoiced in unveiling the plaques. The debt during the previous government had ballooned to Rs20,000 billion while the foreign reserves had shrunk. Urea was sold at a high price and the country became an importer of wheat and sugar. The prices of sugar and flour reached to all-time high, he added.
Declaring himself as ‘Khadim-e-Pakistan” he said that through joint efforts and unity they would turn the tides of inflation and poverty through immediate measures.
He said during 1974, late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had laid the foundation of nuclear deterrence and Mian Nawaz Sharif had refused 5-billion-dollar aid, and conducted the nuclear tests, thus making the country’s defence impregnable. Through 18th amendment, powers were devolved to the provinces, he added.
Such historic feats were achieved through sheer struggle and solidarity among the ranks of the nation, he said and assured the nation that through the joint efforts by all the allied parties, they would reset the tune of the economy left in shatters by the PTI’s government.
The prime minister-elect further said that for the first time in the history of the country, a vote of no-confidence motion was succeeded which was a triumph of the virtue and defeat of the vice.
“It was a memorable day for the whole nation, as a selected prime minister was shown the door,” he said.
Shehbaz Sharif said that the news of the rupee gaining ground in a single day against US dollar as it was being traded at Rs182 and the bullish trend in the Pakistan Stock Market were the good omens for the country’s economy, he added.
Linking change in the government, he said that it was a great blessing of Allah Almighty and the confidence of 220 million people in this House of parliament.
Expressing gratitude to the Supreme Court, he said that it had declared the abrogation of constitutional as illegal and buried doctrine of necessity forever.
With the unanimous decision of the apex Court, he said the supremacy of the constitution was upheld.
Shehbaz strongly denounced the PTI’s campaign against the political adversaries and said that none in this House was a traitor.
He said that they did not believe in a deadlock but in the process of dialogue and assured to pacify and alleviate the grievances of the backward areas.
The incoming prime minister further regretted that PTI’s government did not accord priority to the NFC award.
He said in the past, all the political parties had reached to develop a consensus over strategy to counter terrorism, formulation of a national action plan and CPEC, now they could repeat the same precedent, and assured that Pakistan nation would become great and stand on its feet.
He said when the PML-N left the government during 2018, Pakistan was regarded as an emerging economy, sugar and wheat were exported, free treatment to the poor in hospitals was provided while they ensured education to the orphans and poor kids.
Shahbaz said that Rome was not built in a day, still they would strive to provide economic relief to the inflation hit segments of society.
He announced an increase in the monthly wages by Rs25,000, adding that all the required legal proceedings would commence in consultation with the province. Relief would be provided to the salaried class, he said and appealed to the investors and industrialists to invest more.
He expressed the hope that industrialists would increase ten percent in the salary of people earning 100,000 per month.
Shehbaz said that with investment-friendly policies, they would turn Pakistan into a paradise for investment.
He said the pensioners were neglected by the former government and announced 10 pc increase in their pension with immediate effect.
The prime minister-elect said that through Ramzan bazaars, the provision of cheap flour would be ensured.
The previous government had produced costly power on the import of expensive oil, he added.
The prime minister-elect likened the provinces as components of a beautiful bouquet and assured uniform development of all the provinces.
He said that they would alleviate the sense of deprivation of people in the tribal districts and Balochistan province by providing the youth with the technical and latest education to become useful citizens of the country.
Shehbaz while paying tributes to Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, announced that Benazir cards would be re-introduced in the provinces and be broadened by linking it with the educational stipends so that the youths could serve the country with adequate knowledge and techniques.
He resolved to save the nation from further division by moving forward on the path of progress and prosperity through the manifestation of solidarity as a nation was formed through a consensus.
About the foreign policy, he lamented that the previous government of PTI had witnessed different failures, and the country lost vital strategic partners and friends while, on the Kashmir issue there was complete silence.
He opined that economic strength was linked with diplomacy.
Appreciating the Chinese leadership, he said China had been a faithful and trustworthy friend of Pakistan and had been a staunch supporter for the economic prosperity and on the international fora.
The friendship between the people of the two countries had been everlasting, he said, adding that the PTI government tried to weaken these time-tested ties which was painful story to narrate.
Shehbaz said Saudi Arabia had always supported Pakistan and they would not forget their generous gestures and fraternal ties.
Turkey made progress under the leadership of President Erdogan which was marvelous and said that Pakistan would further enhance the bilateral ties. He also announced strengthening of ties with the UAE, Iran, EU and the UK.
He said that Afghan population was suffering from humanitarian crises and hunger and there was fears of mass exodus and stressed upon global efforts for peace and humanitarian assistance.
Shehbaz said unfortunately, Pakistan did not have good ties with India. He said former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had extended hands for peace with India, but he also made an inspiring speech in the UN assembly for the rights of the Kashmiris.
The PTI government, except naming Srinagar road, had not made any serious diplomatic efforts to resolve the Kashmir issue.
The prime minister elect said that they desired good ties with India but a durable peace was not possible without resolution of the Kashmir issue.
He reiterated that Pakistan would continue giving its diplomatic and moral support to the Kashmiris and would raise its voice for their rights at all global fora.
He further stressed upon Indian prime minister Modi to resolve the Kashmir issue under the UNSC resolutions and advance the goals of eradication of poverty and unemployment by ensuring economic prosperity in their respective countries.
Shehbaz also reiterated to support for Palestinian peoples’ rights.
