Agreement between Pakistan & IMF will be signed soon: PM Shehbaz
ISLAMABAD, Mar 15 (SABAH): Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said that the agreement between Pakistan and International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be signed soon. He said that centre, provinces and armed institutions have jointly decided that no compromise will be made on the defense system. He said that the relations of Pakistan with China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been restored. PM Shehbaz Sharif said China has provided $2 billion to Pakistan, adding that financial support will also come from Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar.
This was stated by PM Shehbaz Sharif during the meeting with Executive Committee members of Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) at the Prime Minister House on Wednesday. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, Secretary Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Shahera Shahid, Principal Information Officer (PIO) Mobashir Hasan, President CPNE Kazam Khan and other leaders were also present on the occasion.
PM Shehbaz Sharif said that election is constitutional requirement, adding that election will be held on time. He said that the federal government is fulfilling its responsibility regarding the holding of the elections, adding that Council of Common Interests (CCI) during the tenure of previous government had decided to hold census but no funds were released and no steps were taken in this regard, adding that our government has provided the funds for conducting the census. PM Shehbaz Sharif said that some provinces have reservations regarding the census but we are taking steps regarding the census so that the elections are not delayed. He said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has written letter regarding the security. He said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and provincial governments will decide about the holding of elections, adding that it is happening first time in the history that the elections are going to be held in two provinces instead of whole country, adding that the time will tell what effects this will last.
PM Shehbaz Sharif said being the president of the party, he has issued instructions to party leaders for making preparations regarding the contesting of elections, adding that I am repeating this thing that whatever decision will be made by the Election Commission of Pakistan it will be implemented.
While talking about the economic difficulties being faced by the country, PM Shehbaz Sharif said that it was most difficult task to takeover the country where it was left by the previous government of Imran Khan, adding that we accepted the responsibility while putting our political capital at stake. PM Shehbaz Sharif said that we have made all out efforts to brining improvement in the economic situation of the country. He said that the previous government practically had bankrupted the country, adding that we have overcome the fear of bankruptcy during the last 11 months. He said that the previous government struck agreement with IMF while accepting tough conditions, which resulted in making the life of common man difficult, adding that the country was harmed while accepted this kind of conditions.
PM Shehbaz Sharif said that current government of Pakistan not any single party, adding that it was perception that Shehbaz Sharif will not be able to run the coalition government but with the blessings of Almighty Allah and with the cooperation of coalition partners we have run the government in an excellent manner.
PM Shehbaz Sharif said one person is taking new steps to destabilize the state during the critical situation, adding that every kind of activity of this person is continued but on the pretext of health he is not appearing in courts and defying the orders from Supreme Court of Pakistan to lower judiciary. He said the nation knows well that this person considers himself above the law, adding that some people say we are taking victimizing action against him but this thing is contrary to the facts. PM Shehbaz Sharif said that when we were in opposition we were placed on the wall, adding that Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz Sharif were used to appear daily in courts and courts were used to remain on holidays. He said that Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz respected the courts. He said that one minister while swearing had said that Rana Sanaullah Khan is criminal but time proved that they were used to swear falsely.
PM Shehbaz Sharif said that I am not taking any victimization action against Imran Niazi as it all is happening due to the court notices.