Prime Minister Shhebaz Sharif has expressed hope that the coalition government would complete its tenure next month and hand over its responsibilities to the caretaker set up in August.
“The responsibility, which you gave me in April 2022, as the PM… we will hand over this sacred mandate of service to the caretaker government in August 2023, inshallah,” he said in a live televised address on the state broadcaster, PTV News, on Thursday.
The address was centred on the challenges after he took charge as the prime minister in April 2022. PM Shehbaz came to power after the ruling alliance oust his predecessor via a vote of no-confidence.
Many experts have been wary of the government’s claims that the government would complete its constitutional tenure and the assemblies would be dissolved on time. Such apprehensions started when former president Asif Ali Zardari said: “Elections will be held when he wants.”
The federal government tenure will end in August and elections are expected in October.
He claimed to have resolved the issues left by the previous government during the 15-month period of the ruling alliance. The premier added that “landmines”, which was coined by former finance minister Miftah Ismail for fuel subsidies announced by the ex-PM, was cleared.
The ruling alliance blamed the PTI government for impeding the IMF programme by announcing the fuel subsidies.
He added that the previous government’s “worst mismanagement” in different sectors, disturbed the law and order situation, and bad foreign relations were managed.
He thanked friendly countries, the foreign ministry, and the army chief for their support in reviving the economy and “steering the country out of the crisis” amid the issues “left” by the PTI government and caused by the 2022 floods.
But the PTI in April this year issued a “white paper” on the performance of coalition government. It claimed that the rule resulted in an increase in the prices of basic commodities.
PM Shehbaz spoke about the IMF deal, which the government clinched on Thursday. Under the Stand-by Arrangement, Pakistan will receive $3 billion from the international lender. The premier accused the PTI government of breaking the loan agreement. He was speaking about an audio leak allegedly linked to the two PTI leaders.
The premier thanked the friendly countries for extending financial support to Pakistan which was a prior condition for the IMF agreement.
PM Shehbaz spoke about the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), which was formed under the ‘Economic Revival Plan’ in June.
“The Special Investment Facilitation Council has started functioning and under it, paths for investment from Gulf countries in agriculture, industry, mineral, energy, IT and defence production are being paved,” the premier said.
He added that the investor community’s trust in Pakistan was reviving, adding that Fitch’s report in this regard was proof.
He reiterated the need for “breaking the begging bowl” to stop the country being debt-ridden. He called for following the development path.
“These shackles can only be broken off if we believe in hard work, fulfil our promises, and serve the country with sincerity,” he said, “let’s eradicate hate and spread love. Let’s become one nation.”
