PM Shehbaz says he was proud of always having good relations with the Establishment

ISLAMABAD, August 12 (SABAH): Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said that he had good relations with the Establishment for 30 years. He said he was proud of always having good relations with the Establishment, adding that when he refused about his relations with the establishment. PM Shehbaz Sharif said that it is said that he is the blue eyed of the establishment; however what was the situation when he was arrested? PM Shehbaz Sharif said that there is no problem in praising army chief. “I believe that due to the poor economic condition our vote bank decreased but we saved the state. There is no obstacle in PML-N supreme Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’s return,” he said.

This was stated by Shehbaz Sharif while talking to editors, anchorpersons and senior journalists during his farewell meeting as prime minister in Islamabad on Saturday. Former federal ministers Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Marriyum Aruangzeb, former advisor to PM on establishment Ahad Khan Cheema, former SAPM Ataullah Tarar Advocate and former coordinator to PM on economy and energy Bilal Azhar Kayani were also present on the occasion.

PM Shehbaz Sharif said that give respect to the vote is the slogan of PML-N, adding that due to deeds of Nawaz Sharif, the vote got respect. He said that the mandate of Nawaz Sharif was stolen.

PM Shehbaz Sharif said all the coalition partners except one party have given authority to him regarding the appointment of the caretaker prime minister. He said that the coalition partners will be taken into confidence over the matter before taking a final decision.

Constitutionally, there are still a few days left for appointment of caretaker prime minister.

The prime minister said that annulment of the review of judgments and orders act 2023 would not matter to Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification had ended on 27^th July after completion of five years term. PM Shehbaz Sharif said that the disqualification tenure has been fixed at five years in the Elections Act. He said that the disqualification tenure of Nawaz Sharif and other politicians has been reduced to five years in the result of the amendment in law.

To a question, the Prime Minister said the past 16 months in the government were the toughest days of his political career because the previous regime had ruined everything, including the economy and diplomatic relations of the country.

He said with the blessing of Allah Almighty and cooperation of coalition partners, the government remained successful in averting default, restoring Pakistan’s relations with brotherly and friendly countries, including China, Qatar, the UAE, the United States, Turkiye, and Iran.

“We had to deal with the challenges. IMF is the sole reason behind inflation. We have made efforts to reduce inflation and there has been some reduction as well,” he said. The prime minister said that he had never made complaint to any journalist. He said he always welcomed constructive criticism. “I believe journalists report independently,” said Shehbaz Sharif.

He further said that they had to take tough decisions because Imran Khan had brought the country at the verge of destruction. “No prime minister has ever said goodbye like I’m leaving after meeting all,” said the outgoing prime minister. He said that the approval of the new census was given as constitutional obligation. He said that PML-N wants elections in the soon however holding timely election is the responsibility of the Election Commission of Pakistan.

The journalists thanked the Prime Minister and his team for getting passed, “The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023” from both Houses of the Parliament.