- Lauds efforts of Ishaq Dar, Bilawal and Army Chief for making IMF deal a success
- Reiterates govt’s resolve to overcome challenges ‘it had taken up for sake of country’
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reiterated the coalition government’s resolve to overcome the prevailing challenges “it had taken up for sake of the country’s progress”.
“The coalition parties, out of sincerity and commitment to the country, have shown unprecedented unity throughout the first year of this government, which in fact has become a matter of worry for the opposition parties”, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made the remarks while addressing a meeting of coalition parties, summoned to discuss matters related to Supreme Court (SC) decision and Punjab election.
The meeting was convened to review the ongoing political situation and to mull JI chief Sirajul Haq’s proposal for holding political dialogue with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar and JUI Senator Kamran Murtaza briefed the participants.
Speaking on the occasion, PM Shehbaz pointed out that in the beginning, the opposition and even the people in the coalition parties were not hopeful of the durability of the alliance. However, all of the allied parties manifested their democratic spirit and played their constructive role to maintain unity as well as in steering the country out of pervading challenges, he added.
He said opponents were troubled at the fact that the coalition managed to survive. “It is worthy of utmost praise,” he added. Shehbaz Sharif said the PML-N led coalition government steered through challenges and all partners had added their share to keep the boat sailing. “The allied government cooperated to its fullest in this regard,” he added.
“There exists a difference of opinion and respecting it is the hallmark of democracy”, he said.
Referring to the ongoing controversy regarding the court verdict on general elections in Punjab, he said nowhere in the world had ever happened that a court granted a stay on the implementation of a law even before its promulgation.
The decision of the three-member bench even prompted the bar councils to raise their voice – for sake of the rule of law, not out of love for the government – as they also believed that the decision was contrary to the norms of the justice, he added.
PM Shehbaz said the coalition parties were striving wholeheartedly to take the struggle of overcoming the challenges to a logical end, despite all odds.
‘IMF agreement about to be inked’ –
PM Shehbaz told the participants that the International Monetary Fund’s agreement was in the final phase as their last conditionality was to make deposits.
He lauded the efforts of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Army Chief General Asim Munir for the success of the process. He said that Finance Minister Ishaq Dar worked day and night for this deal.
Upcoming telephonic conversation with new Chinese Premier –
He also told the participants of his upcoming telephonic conversation with new Chinese Premier Li Qiang during the last week of April when they would discuss the matters of mutual interest.
He reiterated the coalition government’s resolve to overcome the challenges it had taken up for sake of the country’s progress.
“I again assure you that you have elected me your prime minister and I will try my best to live up to your expectations,” he concluded.
