We made difficult & bold decisions & will do the same if needed again so that economy of country is put on right track: PM Shehbaz 


ISLAMABAD, June 21 (SABAH): Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has expressed hope that government will overcome the current economic situation and public will be provided relief.

In a video message after the cabinet meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday, PM Shehbaz Sharif said due to imprudent economic policies of previous government, the country is suffering from a crisis.

The Prime Minister said despite increasing prices of petroleum products in international market and in the world the previous government decreased the prices which worked as mines for incumbent government. He said that the decision of PTI government to decrease the prices of the petroleum products was based on 100 percent ill intention. He said that if PTI had any realization of the masses problems then they should have left some example in its tenure of three and half years. He said that economic situation in the world is very difficult, adding that the prices of petroleum products and other commodities are increasing.

Shehbaz Sharif said that the government increased the petroleum prices with heavy heart, adding that the government has provided relief to 70 million people. He said that Rs 2 thousand is being provided to these 70 million people through Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) monthly.

Shehbaz Sharif said that we made policy decision in the budget that the burden came on the poor people will be shared by the government. Shehbaz Sharif said affluent people will be taxed to provide relief to the poor class of society. He expressed hope that well off segment of society will cooperate with government.

Shehbaz Sharif said that we have accepted the responsibility in a very difficult situation and with the Blessings of Almighty Allah, we will fulfill this responsibility. PM Shehbaz Sharif said that we have made difficult and bold decisions and will do the same if needed again so that economy of the country is put on the right track and Pakistani economy could be strengthened. PM Shehbaz Sharif said that we will not hesitate to take any step, adding that he is hopeful that the coalition government with the prayers of masses will overcome the problems and masses will see good time after the tough decisions of the government.

Shehbaz Sharif said that the previous government struck the agreement with International Monetary Fund (IMF) but was violated by previous government during its tenure. He said that the previous government violated the promises made with IMF regarding tax and other steps. Shehbaz Sharif said that it is difficult time but he is hopeful that with the prayers of the masses and hard work we will bring Pakistan out of this difficult time and take towards good time.

Federal Ministers Dr. Miftah Ismail Ahmed, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Khawaja Muhammad Saad Rafique, Sherry Rehman, Senator Syed Faisal Ali Sabzwari, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, Syed Murtaza Mehmood, Maulana Abdul Wasey, Mufti Abdul Shakoor, Murtaza Javed Abbasi, Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Syed Naveed Qamar Shah, Shazia Atta Marri, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and Advisor to PM on Political Affairs Engineer Ameer Muqam Khan were also present on the occasion.