Govt will quit on completion of its term, it's up to ECP to announce election date: PM
LAHORE (APP) - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said that the dedicated efforts by all the state institutions to execute the Economic Revival Plan and sacrifice by the elite class were inevitable to ensure that the latest IMF program signed by the government was the last one.
“(With the signing of stand-by agreement) The risk of Pakistan’s default has been averted… This is not a moment of pride but a moment of thought as nations never progress on the basis of loans…This is not a way to live a life,” the prime minister told the media in a press conference.
Accompanied by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman, the prime minister said the situation necessitated the sacrifice by the elite class, not the common man who had already lost the purchasing power.
“The people should pray that this is the last IMF loan and Pakistan would not have to go back to IMF again,” he said after he witnessed the signing of the $3 billion stand-by agreement with the IMF.
Citing the success of Turkey and a neighboring country to get rid of IMF loans, the prime minister said that Pakistan was rich with immense resources and the potential to progress and overcome economic challenges.
Calling it the darkest day in country’s history, the prime minister said the May 9 incidents were part of the conspiracy against the country carried out in connivance with the local and foreign anti-state elements. To a question, he said no innocent person would be hurt for May 9 arson. "Those who attacked civilian installations will be tried in anti-terrorism courts and others in the military courts for attacking the military installations," he explained.
He also appreciated the role of Chief of the Army Staff General Asim Munir for his engagement with Saudi Arabia and UAE governments to bring in US$2 billion and US$1 billion from the two friendly countries respectively.
To a question, PM Shehbaz said that the incumbent government would give up on completion of its term; however, it would be up to the Election Commission of Pakistan to announce the election date.
To another question, PM Shehbaz clarified that the IMF agreement would in no way impact the CPEC or Pak-China ties. He assured the newsmen that while being in any role, the PML-N leadership would continue to strive for rendering sacrifices to support the national economy.
Asked about any relief for the common man after IMF agreement, the prime minister said the plan was not a “sweet” rather it was a tool to stabilise the economy and strengthen the engagement with international institutions. However, he expressed the hope that inflation would come down and the country would regain its lost status of a fast-developing nation.
He said it was the time for the elite to face most of the hardships. "Even in the last budget, the incumbent government had imposed the super tax on the elite class and did not bow to their pressure for reversal."
About the austerity measures, he said some of the ministers and parliamentarians were not drawing salaries and also appreciated the Senate chairman for agreeing not to pursue the bill providing for increasing his perks. He said the government would carry forward its laptop scheme and planned to distribute another 100,000 laptops among the students in next fiscal year.
Responding to another query, the prime minister said Nawaz Sharif and his daughter faced jails and appeared before courts on a daily basis without seeking adjournments, unlike Imran Niazi. He assured that Nawaz Sharif would come back soon from abroad as he had gone there for medical treatment.
He said after being disqualified, Nawaz Sharif never uttered a word against the country but contrarily, Imran Niazi acted as an enemy of the state after being removed through a constitutional process. "The people of Pakistan will decide the fate of those who pushed the country to default," he concluded.
