Country is caught in debt trap & we have to steer it out from it & save the economy: Shehbaz
ISLAMABAD, April 20 (SABAH): Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said all the decisions will be taken with unison and consultations in order to address the chronic challenges including that of economy, energy, poverty and unemployment.
He was chairing maiden meeting of the federal cabinet in Islamabad on Wednesday. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed it is only through hard work that we can bring improvement in situation and register successes in practical field. He said the country is caught in debt trap and we have to steer it out from it and save the economy.
Shehbaz Sharif instructed ministers to prepare for “war” against the challenges the previous government failed to counter — poverty, inflation, and unemployment.
In his address to the cabinet, which was aired by state media, Shehbaz Sharif stressed on providing ease to the nation, especially the poor segments of the society, through a “thorough and continuous” process of consultation.
“Today is an important day because we have successfully taken office by constitutionally and legally ousting the corrupt PTI government,” he said, thanking his coalition members. “This coalition is the most extensive one in the history of Pakistan.
“And I have no doubt that despite your political affiliation and struggle, this coalition will work for the people of Pakistan without any personal biases,” he remarked.
The PM cautioned that there were a number of challenges facing the new government such as load shedding, shortage of gas and oil prices. “You will be briefed about all of them with facts so that we can, together, explore the most beneficial measures for the public.”
He revealed that the country was “drowning” in debt and it was the government’s job to “sail this ship ashore”. “Dozens of warehouses and factories are closed due to lack of electricity and gas. We need to immediately find solutions,” he urged, adding that growth, not politics, was the priority for his cabinet right now.
Meanwhile, speaking about provincial issues, the premier said that the focus of the cabinet should be Balochistan. “We need to pay full attention to the problems of the Baloch people and other provinces,” he asserted. He also warned that there was toxic propaganda being run against the government but vowed to counter it with “real facts”.
The prime minister, moreover, stated that the government’s goal was to end corruption which had peaked during the PTI government. “We need to shed our blood and save this poor nation which is entangled in debt.”
Recounting the challenges, the prime minister said the country was under immense debt burden but it was upon the incumbent government to overcome the challenges despite having limited resources.
“Today, we have to face the challenge collectively and should not evade any sacrifice. We will have to respond propaganda through facts, which would ultimately bury the lies,” he remarked.
Recalling the immense victimization of all opposition parties during the previous government, the prime minister said corruption was rampant during last three and half years.
Citing the successful journey of development of Germany and Japan, the prime minister said despite being badly hit by the second world war, both the countries bounced back and achieved excellence just on the basis of their struggle.
He also referred to the teachings of Holy Quran, Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as well as Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah advising the followers to put in their best to achieve excellence and change the fate.
Prime Minister Shehbaz told the cabinet members that besides the politicians, the bureaucracy also faced huge pressure from the previous government which wanted them to act as an approver against that time opposition.
He said the government machinery including bureaucracy, doctors, engineers and others needed the backing and encouragement by the government to make them perform better.
As he concluded his address, Shehbaz took his coalition members into confidence and said that the prime minister’s post was theirs. “This is your struggle, your journey. You have to guide me, you have to advise me. This is the only way we can move forward,” he added.