Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday expressed hope that the coalition government would emerge from the prevailing eocnomic and political crisis by putting aside their differences to work for the country’s prosperity.

“We need to turn into workaholics to resolve the many challenges facing us so that we can measure up to the public’s expectations,” he said while addressing the media following a meeting of the federal cabinet.

“Today, as a unified force we have to face these challenges and we are ready to offer sacrifices. With brotherhood and unity, we have to give fact-based responses to the propaganda,” he said.

The cabinet has to work hard to steer the country out of the crisis and help the people battered by the economic crisis, he continued.

“This coalition is the most extensive one in the history of Pakistan. I have no doubt that despite your political affiliation and struggle, this coalition will work for the people of Pakistan without any personal biases,” Shehbaz said.

Like his predecessor, Shehbaz also gave the examples of Germany and Japan and their efforts to come out of the crisis after World War II and nuclear attacks.

The PM added that there were a number of challenges the new government was facing such as power outages and hike in fuel prices.

Focus on Balochistan

On 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 also warned that there was toxic propaganda being run against the government but vowed to counter it with “real facts”.

Several newly-inducted government functionaries, spearheaded by Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, have stated that social media is being to used to spread misinformation and disinformation about the newly-formed government as well as Pakistan and its state institutions.

Shehbaz alleged that the former coalition partners, bureaucrats and the opposition were “fed up” with the former ruling party. He also accused the PTI leadership of unfairly targetting its rivals for political gains.

“There is no magic. We need struggle to improve our condition,” he said while urging people to take the opporunity to work for the country’s prosperity. “We will come out of crisis by working together.”

He urged the need for people to learn from their mistakes. “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.”