Politics

Nawaz Sharif to return to lead Pakistan on road to progress & prosperity: PM

APP | Jun 16, 2023

Shehbaz says those criticizing Dar have no place in PML-N

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said that Nawaz Sharif would return from abroad to lead the country to progress and prosperity after becoming prime minister for the fourth time.

Speaking after his re-election as president of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for a four-year term at the party’s Central General Council meeting, he said that Nawaz was the builder of modern Pakistan and during his tenure as prime minister he eliminated energy shortages, laid down the network of roads, built infrastructure and developed agriculture, industry and other vital sectors of the economy.

He said that he would hand over the presidentship of the party to Nawaz after his return to Pakistan.

He thanked the General Council for electing him as its new president and his associates for the leadership positions in the party.

He lauded Maryam Nawaz for courageously leading the party all across Pakistan despite all the difficulties that came in her way.

He further said that 60 percent of the population of the country was young and PML-N needed young leaders for the future.

He appreciated workers of the party for standing by PML-N despite going through hardships in jails and facing difficulties, adding that similarly party leadership also stood its ground and faced oppression and suffering with courage and determination.

Shehbaz said that Finance Minister Ishaq Dar was working hard to steer the country’s economy out of the present difficulties. Those who were unduly criticizing Ishaq had no place in the party, he added.

The prime minister said that the government met all the conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for meeting the financial needs of the country.

He reminded that PML-N spent its political capital for the sake of the state at a time when inflation was high and international commodity prices skyrocketed.

Despite difficult economic conditions, the common man was given relief in the budget and salaries were raised by 35 percent and pensions by 17 percent, he noted, adding that the Pakistani nation was brave and would emerge from the current challenges. He said that his government signed an agreement with Azerbaijan to import gas and bought oil from Russia.

He criticized Imran Khan for spreading lies and false propaganda for his ulterior motives and to mislead people.

The PM said that Nawaz had a comprehensive policy on Kashmir and he forcefully raised the issue of Kashmir at the international forums, including the United Nations (UN).

Every Pakistani was ready to offer sacrifices for the freedom of Kashmir and no compromise would be made on the rights of Kashmiri people, he added.