Govt, institutions in ‘unprecedented’ harmony: Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday the coalition government and national institutions were in “unprecedented harmony and cooperation” to serve the national interests and steer the country out of prevailing challenges.

Speaking at the Ulema-Mashaikh Conference here, the Premier said the country never needed unity and national harmony more, adding he had never seen such a level of cooperation between a political government and the institutions throughout his political career.

Appreciating the efforts and support extended by Chief of Army Staff Gen Syed Asim Munir, also attending the moot, he said such exemplary collaboration was a role model for the future.He said the challenges pervading the country necessitated learning lessons from past weaknesses and mistakes and making sincere efforts to develop Pakistan as a country as was dreamt by the forefathers and sacrificed hundreds of thousands of lives during the Pakistan Movement.

Prime Minister Sharif said the nation, which was about to celebrate its 77th Independence Day on August 14, was yet to find its destination, but the goal was achievable provided the dedicated efforts are made and the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah followed.

He called for the efforts to wipe out Fitna al Khawarij – a term referring to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan – which he said was involved in anti-Pakistan activities despite claiming to be a Pakistani. He also criticised the use of social media to spread lies and propaganda—particularly after 2018 — instead of appreciating the government’s efforts for public services.

He said even the security personnel, who sacrificed their lives to protect millions of other children from being orphaned, were being humiliated on social media.Calling the May 9 attacks “the most heart-wrenching” incident in the country’s history, the Prime Minister highlighted that the characters behind the tragedy of 1971 met their fate in Bangladesh amidst the recent developments in the country.

He urged the Ulema to play their role to do away with the division in the society and highlight the Islamic economic system, adding no force could obstruct the country’s development if the nation is determined to achieve its goals.

Prime Minister Sharif told the gathering that the government is making all-out efforts toaddress the economic challenges and expected the upcoming IMF program to be the last one.At the same time, it has scraped Rs50 billion to support the power consumers of the protected category consuming up to 200 units. But the consumers using 200-500 units of electricity are still facing the burden, he added.

However, he assured the gathering that the coalition government and the COAS were in consultation to work out a comprehensive plan to ease the challenges faced by inflation-stricken people, and the provinces would soon announce their respective plans in this regard.He said the IMF program is a compulsion to bring economic stability, productive employment and reforms in the FBR and power sector.