ISLAMABAD: Outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif opened up on Saturday about his relationship with the establishment saying he’s been their blue-eyed boy for the past 30 years.
Speaking to journalists, the premier, responding to queries about his rapport with the establishment, asked: “When was my relationship with the establishment not good?” He further addressed the topic of denying his affiliations with the establishment, asserting: “When have I denied my ties to the establishment?”
“It is said that I am very close to the establishment and I have responded to this [perception] many times… whether it is a hybrid system or whatever you call it, if it is for the elimination of hunger and for the betterment of people, then is it good or bad?” he asked, rhetorically.
“When did I not have an understanding with the establishment? I have been their blue-eyed boy for the past 30 years,” he said, adding that he and his party men were sent to jail when Imran Khan came to power.
Regarding the choice of the interim prime minister, he stated that while his friends had given him the go-ahead to make this important choice, there was still a constitutional deadline to meet before the appointment could be finalized.
When the topic of economic difficulties came up, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed the problem of inflation and blamed it on the IMF’s (International Monetary Fund) policies. He emphasized the steps taken by his administration to combat the high rate of inflation, which has lessened its effects on the general populace.
In a testament to his approach to governance and the media, the premier asserted that he had never scolded any journalist.
