Society poisoned, today opponents' abuse is rampant in politics: PM Shehbaz Sharif

ISLAMABAD (APP) - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Saturday held the previous government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) responsible for the economic difficulties of the common man and expressed determination to take the country out of economic hardship.

Addressing the Mufti Mehmood conference here on Saturday, he said that he said it was unfortunate that in the politics of today abuse of opponents had become rampant.

Shehbaz Sharif said that society was poisoned and divided and a group was created to humiliate others and destroy the values of society. "I am sure that the educated cadres of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam would stop the trend of abuse in politics."

The prime minister said he did not come across a bigger liar than Imran Khan. “He is telling lies day and night and is constantly hatching conspiracies against the nation and institutions,” he said about PTI chairman Imran Khan. "In the past, Imran Khan always said that his government and the institutions were on the same page and he was acting independently but now he was telling that he ruled as a powerless person," he maintained.

He said that the previous government violated the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), creating difficult economic situation for his incoming government.

The prime minister said that when his coalition partners gave him the responsibility to lead the country as prime minister, Pakistan’s economy was in dire straits and the country was on the verge of default.

Referring to Imran Khan, he said a person wanted Pakistan to default and become another Sri Lanka.

He said under the guidance of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the coalition government went through a difficult time; however, it succeeded in taking steps for the progress of Pakistan. “If our intentions are good, we fear Allah, then Allah removes all difficulties and opens new paths.”

He said he had never wanted to put the burden of inflation on the people. "After the arrival of new Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, the government managed to reduce the petrol prices," he added.

Shehbaz Sharif said that the government with the support of the coalition partners would consider further reduction in petrol prices. “Pakistan did not become independent to remain poor but to become prosperous and emerge as a dignified country,” he remarked.

He paid tribute to Mufti Mehmood, saying he was an eminent religious scholar, researcher, and political leader. “I have great admiration for religious scholars.” Mufti Mehmood was a teacher and taught thousands of students at his madressah in Multan and rendered great services for the cause of Islam, he reminisced.

Chief of Jamiat Ulema Islam Maulana Fazlur Rehman organized the conference here in memory of his father and North West Frontier Province former chief minister Mufti Mehmood.