MANSEHRA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed his commitment to utilise all the available resources to make the country developed and prosperous; however, he warned that the burden of foreign debts on Pakistan is such that it will be paid off by many generations to come.
Addressing a public gathering in Mansehra on Sunday, the prime minister criticised his predecessor Imran Khan for his flawed policies, creating unemployment and creating chaos in the country.
The prime minister said his government was forced to increase the rates of petroleum products as the previous regime had left the national exchequer empty. He acknowledged the pain of the people due to the rising inflation but blamed the PTI-led government for the issue and said his team would work to reduce it.
Lashing out at Khan, the prime minister said he did not deliver on his promise of five million homes during his tenure. “But we have, to cushion the inflation’s effect on people, have announced a subsidy package.” Sharif said the government has announced a Rs28 billion subsidy package for the 800,000 poor people of the country.
“If I get a chance, I will turn Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into Punjab,” he vowed, giving an ultimatum to KP CM Mahmood Khan to reduce the price of wheat in the province. The prime minister termed himself as the “servant of Pakistan” and labelled Khan as a “miscreant” – in a reference to this week’s riots in Islamabad and across the country, which saw the deaths of three people, including a policeman. “I will fight till the end for people’s prosperity,” he added.
He said that Multan, Sukkur and Hazara Motorways are the mega projects, which were completed during Nawaz Sharif regime. He said the journey of development and prosperity will be continuing with the same spirit and devotion. He said that laptop will be provided to the position holders students in the upcoming budget.
He announced the establishment of a medical college, special grant of one-billion rupees development for Mansehra and setting up of Hazara Electric Supply Company.
Talking about Balochistan’s local government polls, the premier said they were conducted in a peaceful manner throughout. “The voter turnout was 30-35 percent.” He said the people of Balochistan have now started believing in the province. Earlier the Prime Minister inaugurated various development projects in the area.
Addressing the rally, Vice President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Maryam Nawaz said that Hazara Motorway is a gift for the people of Hazara division from Nawaz Sharif. She said with great efforts, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will change the destiny of the nation.
Maryam congratulated the people of the area for rejecting the politics of sit-ins and elected PML-N in local government elections. She said despite utilizing its provincial government resources, the PTI lost the election. – TLTP
