ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said his government steered the country out of severe historic economic and political crises and external challenges and protected the interests of the people and the Pakistani state during the 16 months.
Addressing the nation, he said time and history would be witness that his government saved Pakistan from default and the subsequent economic disaster waiting to happen, safeguarded national interests, restored the trust of friendly countries and provided relief to people after the devastating floods.
He said after the end of the constitutional tenure of his government, he was handing over power to the caretaker government.
“My conscience is clear that I served honestly and transparently and followed the constitution.”
“We came [to power] through constitutional means, and leaving the same way by handing over the government to a caretaker setup after a consensus with the opposition leader over the name of the caretaker prime minister,” Shehbaz said while addressing the nation.
He stressed that the outgoing PDM-led government had saved Pakistan from default.
Shehbaz acknowledged that inflation was high in the country, but put the blame on the previous government saying the then government jeopardised deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which led to an economic uncertainty in the country.
He congratulated Anwarul Haq Kakar for becoming the caretaker prime minister and expressed hope that he would ensure free, fair and transparent elections in Pakistan and protect the right to vote of the people.
“The caretaker prime minister is appointed after consultation between him and leader of the opposition Raja Riaz.”
He thanked the political leadership and people for reposing trust in his leadership and government.
