Islamabad: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has clearly said that the next general elections in the country will be held after August next year.
“Let me make it very clear that the next elections will be held on time,” he said in response to a question by the Turkish wire service Anadolu Agency. The reporter asked him about his predecessor Imran Khan’s demand for early elections.
He said that this government has come into existence through a constitutional process and it has the mandate of the people of Pakistan. “The term of the current National Assembly will end in August 2023, after which a caretaker government will be formed which will hold elections,” Shahbaz explained.
He reminded that the present coalition government had representation of all the political parties of the country except Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and was busy dealing with issues of utmost importance.
Shahbaz said Pakistan’s economy was facing multiple global and domestic challenges and was “on the brink of financial collapse” when he took charge. The economic policies of the previous government were not pro-growth and led the economy to several challenges. He said that Pakistan’s economy is facing excessive fiscal stringency, supply side shocks, effects of pandemics, loss of investor confidence, high rate of inflation and effects of Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The PM recalled that his administration had “adopted a mix of policies to deal with the economic recession while accepting the fact that we have very little time to pull back from the brink of bankruptcy and financial collapse.” “There is no doubt that some of our policy options, such as the withdrawal of untargeted subsidies, have increased costs to the economy in the short term. But, most of our policies are expected to deliver benefits in the long run,” he explained. More likely.
“It was a matter of policy choice and political will. Although such a tough decision requires huge political capital, we risked taking these decisions by rolling back untargeted subsidies.
Shahbaz said, “We are also aware of the fact that our current practices are hurting the most vulnerable and marginalized members of the society, but we are taking care of them by announcing targeted subsidies and other relief measures. are,” Shahbaz said. A revival of the IMF program and “active engagement with bilateral and multilateral partners” had eased the pressure. To deal with the economy, he noted that his government has taken steps to reduce the import bill, current account deficit, and pressure on the Pakistani rupee. “Continued decline in imports” helped improve the current account deficit during the first four months of fiscal 2023, he added.
He lamented that the massive floods in Pakistan earlier this year “caused a lot of damage.”
Highlighting Pak-Turkey relations, he said that in facing common challenges and emerging threats, Islamabad and Ankara should work together through joint research and pooling of resources. “We believe that Pakistan and Turkey should work together and deepen their partnership through joint research and joint development and pooling of resources.”
Shahbaz Sharif described the bilateral relations with Turkey as ideal, saying: “These historical relations are firmly based on common religious, cultural and linguistic ties and transcend political changes on both sides.” This year, the two countries are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. “Pakistan and Turkey support each other on all issues of core national interest – be it Jammu and Kashmir or Northern Cyprus.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Tarkai, especially for his leadership’s principled support on the Jammu and Kashmir conflict,” he said. Shahbaz said the two countries also share similar views on regional and international issues, while “enjoying close cooperation at bilateral, regional and multilateral forums.”
He said that facing common challenges and new and emerging threats, Pakistan and Turkey have deepened their cooperation in various fields, especially in defense. He praised Turkey’s defense industry. “Pakistan is Turkey’s largest defense customer,” the prime minister said, adding that their cooperation in building the Miljum-class warships was of “unique value” not only for enhancing Pakistan’s naval capabilities. holds, but also stands out significantly. An important moment to further strengthen the bond of friendship between our two nations and our two navies.
In response to another question, he said Pakistan’s “long-standing and broad-based relationship” with the US was getting “deeper and broader”. Relations between the two countries have been fruitful and substantial in recent months. “Our discussions at various levels have intensified, which shows that the relationship is getting stronger,” he said.
Recalling his recent interaction with US President Joe Biden in New York, Shahbaz said “there have been several high-level visits, including delegations from Congress and (including members of the US administration”). These interactions have yielded positive results and our relationship has become stronger. He thanked Washington for $97 million in aid to flood victims.
He said Pakistan was also cooperating closely with the US to “promote peace and stability in Afghanistan”, while pursuing a foreign policy of “friendship and goodwill with all countries”. Pakistan has traditionally maintained good relations with the US and China. Historically, it was Pakistan that acted as a bridge in opening up relations between the two countries.
“Although Pakistan-China relations are very special, Pakistan and the US also maintain a long-standing historical bilateral relationship, which is broad-based in nature and covers all matters of mutual interest.
“We believe that constructive engagement with all countries can promote peace and security as well as development and connectivity throughout the region. We look forward to engaging with the international community for peace and stability in the region and beyond.” “There are,” the Prime Minister said. He said that Pakistan strongly believes that inter-state relations should be based on mutual respect and peaceful resolution of issues while upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.
Talking about relations with China, he said his recent meetings with the Chinese leadership “have given new impetus to our joint efforts to ensure timely progress and implementation of major projects”. Important agreements were reached on the early implementation of the framework agreement for industrial cooperation along with the progress of important projects like Main Line I and Karachi Circular Railway (ML-I/KCR).
“We also agreed to enhance cooperation in green energy, science and technology and agriculture, which are all important building blocks for high-quality development of CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor),” he said. The Prime Minister emphasized that Pakistan has always given top priority to the security and safety of its international partners in development. “We have stepped up measures to maintain a safe and secure environment, which is essential for investment and socio-economic development.
“Both Pakistan and China are aware of the complex regional environment and the threats it poses. We will continue to exercise strict vigilance and ensure that our nefarious intentions are thwarted. On whether Resolving the dispute over the Kashmir region is a condition for normalizing relations between Islamabad and New Delhi, Prime Minister Shehbaz said Pakistan’s foreign policy is based on “friendship and goodwill with all,” including India. Wants good relations with all neighbours. However, he stressed that for “full normalization” of relations, including the restoration of trade ties, India “must reverse its actions” on August 5, 2019. When New Delhi revoked the limited autonomy of India’s illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), he also called on India to end its “state terrorism” in the IIOJK and ” It shall not attempt demographic changes in the occupied territory in order to maintain its illegal occupation.
Referring to his inaugural address as prime minister, Shahbaz said he “reiterated our desire to maintain ‘good relations’ with India.”
However, we firmly believe that lasting peace cannot be achieved without a just settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir conflict in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. He said the “illegal and unilateral actions” of August 5, 2019 and subsequent actions at the IIOJK “have worsened the environment. The onus remains on India to create an environment conducive to meaningful engagement.”
