Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the government would apply the Constitution “come what may” amid the political crisis, which has been exacerbated after May 9 violent protests.

“The Government of Pakistan believes in [the] rule of law, believes in merit, and come what may we will toe the line of our Constitution and our rules and our policies,” he said at the textile expo in Karachi on Friday.

Before making such a statement, the premier clarified that it was “purely a business forum” and he would not go into politics. But he said that it was “suffice” to say that the ruling alliance believed in the rule of law.

The government has been considering banning the former ruling party, PTI, over May 9 events when a mob attacked state buildings and damaged state properties. It has also decided to try the culprits in the military courts, prompting concerns from the human rights organisations.

“These people attacked their [the military’s] offices. They attacked their houses. They attacked their installations, such as air bases,” Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said in an interview with Al Jazeera on Wednesday. “They planned it. It was not spontaneous. You must understand the gravity of the offence, the gravity of events which took place.”

Boosting exports

PM Shehbaz stressed the country’s exporters to come up with innovative and unique ideas to boost exports which would ultimately help the country earn valuable foreign exchanges.

“Despite various challenges, we have very robust, very futuristic, and extremely hardworking entrepreneurs that have gradually built Pakistan’s export culture,” he said, adding that country’s salvation lied in boosting exports.

He added that with genuine government support combined with the entrepreneurs’ extraordinary intellect and hard work, the provision of quality export goods to foreign customers would be ensured.

Welcoming the foreign delegates, the PM said he was happy to learn that over 400 foreign delegates from 60 countries were visiting on the occasion showed Pakistan was a valuable destination for foreign guests, buyers, and traders.

The PM said the textile sector constituted 60% of total exports while 40% labour force was absorbed in this sector. “It is no doubt one of the largest sectors of Pakistan’s economy,” he added.

He pointed out that despite financial challenges and other difficulties, the government was committed to providing genuine support to all the export sectors including textile, leather, and sports to help increase the country’s export volume.

He recalled that a few decades ago, Pakistan was ahead of its neighbors in textile exports, however unfortunately it lost the grounds. “But I have no doubt in mind that we can still recover from these setbacks and take hands off the clock back to 1990s and excel in our exports,” he said.

(With input from APP)