Says Pakistan armed forces guarantors of peace, security
Spokesman Report
GWADAR/QUETTA: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Friday said that having increased oil prices again with a heavy heart, the government believed that anymore burden on the poor masses would be unjust and it was a time for the elite class to sacrifice. “I have called a meeting tomorrow… The billionaire elite should come forward and sacrifice for the poor masses and provide their resources through austerity… This will start from me, ministers, advisors, federal and provincial secretaries and government officers,” the prime minister said.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of Eastbay Expressway and groundbreaking of seven more development projects for Gwadar, he said the elite would have to play their part in that noble cause.
“This is their duty. I will ensure that they shower their resources for the poor and bear strict measures,” he remarked. A component of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the 6-lane Eastbay Expressway would connect the Gwadar Port with the Makran Coastal Highway, also providing a link to Karachi.
While addressing the officers attending the Command and Staff Course at Command and Staff College here Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Friday that armed forces of Pakistan were the guarantors of peace, internal and external security, and regional stability, besides contributing to the global peace efforts. The prime minister paid rich tribute to the achievements and sacrifices of Pakistan armed forces.
On arrival, he laid a wreath at the Shahuada Monument to pay homage to martyrs of Pakistan. The prime minister said that Pakistan’s successes in war against terrorism were unparalleled and duly acknowledged by the world. He said the armed forces had always done a commendable job in service of the nation during natural calamities. The armed forces of Pakistan are very important state institution and are pride of the nation, he reiterated. Shehbaz Sharif said that the country’s defence was sacred and Pakistan’s security, sovereignty and integrity would be ensured at all costs. “The nation owes its freedom to monumental sacrifices of our heroes our martyrs, the prime minister remarked.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that next general election in the country will be held within 15 months and his goal meanwhile would be to address the challenges of inflation and poverty. “My vision is to rebuild Pakistan and try my best to decrease poverty and cut the budget of government sector to ensure austerity,” he said in an interview with Turkish state-television TRT, during his three-day official visit to Ankara. PM Sharif said his government ahead of elections would take short-term measures to address the problems faced by the general public. However, he stressed that if the people’s will brings his party to power in next election, a full-fledged development agenda would be launched to deal with issues such as unemployment and poverty.
The prime minister said the global skyrocketing prices of fuel had compelled his government to increase the cost of oil and gas. Asked about the political situation in Pakistan, he said for the first time in the country’s history, a no-confidence vote had succeeded. “This is a constitutional and legal transition which has been provided in the Constitution. It is a big step forward, rather a quantum jump,” he said. From this point onward, he stressed that this would be an acceptable norm in Pakistan that if a majority of parliamentarians feel to have a particular government, they should be allowed to vote freely under the law of land.