Shehbaz Sharif says sincere efforts are underway to revive economy n Coalition govt's one year marks success story of overcoming tough challenges n Visits free wheat flour distribution points in Lahore, Faisalabad.
ISLAMABAD/LAHORE/FAISALABAD - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said the completion of the one-year of coalition government marked a successful tenure that resulted in Pakistan's restored credibility, and overcoming of the country's financial and energy challenges.
"I can inform people that over the last one year, we have largely succeeded in establishing Pakistan's credibility as a partner and friend," he wrote in a Twitter thread. PM Sharif said, "Today marks the completion of one year since I took oath as PM of a coalition government. This has been a time of massive challenges and difficulties.
"It was a long journey, but sustained efforts made it possible," he said. Sharif recalled that the passage of no-confidence vote against former prime minister Imran Khan Niazi's government was unprecedented.
"[It was unprecedented] not because the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) came into power, but because almost all of Pakistan's political forces came together to use the forum of parliament to vote out an unpopular govt through constitutional means," he said.
The prime minister said the coming together of political parties with different manifestos for a common national cause represented a "major step forward in the country's political evolution".
"Reconciliation and cooperation, instead of confrontation and vendetta marked the new politics post-April '22," he said.
He said despite the economic landmines laid by Imran Khan and the disruptions in global fuel and food supply lines, Pakistan's economy continued to stay afloat.
"All predictions of default turned out to be false alarms. Sincere efforts are underway to revive the economy," he said. Sharif said the coalition government has been at pains to repair, rebuild and deepen Pakistan's diplomatic relations that were dealt a severe blow by the 'Niazi regime'.
He said Pakistan faced unprecedented floods last year. The decisiveness with which the government undertook rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts, provided social protection to millions of people and mobilized international community has been acknowledged by the world as outstanding, he added.
He mentioned that the government employed climate diplomacy to present Pakistan’s case on the international stage.
“As Chair of G77 plus China, we were instrumental in the establishment of loss and damage fund. Pledges of US$ 9 billion at Geneva moot are evidence of our successful diplomacy,” he said. He said in the last one year, the coalition government made efforts to diversify the energy mix with the aim to provide relief to the citizens.
“The renewed focus on solar, hydel, and coal power projects is aimed at replacing the costlier sources of power generation with cheaper ones,” he said.
The prime minister pointed out that inflation hit people hard globally, adding that geo-strategic rivalries, increase in prices of fuel and food commodities and historic floods are some of the key factors responsible for inflation.
“Mindful of its impact, the government has expanded the social safety net and provided targeted subsidies,” he said.
He said under the watch of the PDM government, Pakistan managed to exit the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list, thanks to the excellent inter-ministerial coordination as well as support extended by the military leadership.
He said building on the public transport infrastructure, government, since its inception in April last year, focused on early completion of the development and transport infrastructure projects in Islamabad.
“Idea was to provide ease, comfort and affordable mobility to the people,” he said. ‘Free flour distribution process’
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday arrived in Faisalabad to review the arrangements at different points, set up for the distribution of free flour among deserving people.
During the visit, the prime minister interacted with the people, gathered there to receive free Atta bags under PM’s Special Ramazan Package for the poor. He enquired about the distribution arrangements and also witnessed the process.
Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb and the relevant authorities also accompanied the prime minister. The people, especially the old women, expressed their joy and satisfaction over visit of the prime minister. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday visited various points set up in Lahore for the distribution of free flour (Atta) bags to the needy and reviewed the overall arrangements.
The prime minister on the occasion interacted with the people, gathered at the points to receive free Atta bags under the PM’s Special Ramazan Package for the poor. He expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made for the distribution of flour bags. He also inquired about the problems and issues from the people and himself distributed the flour bags among them.