ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed to make the country self-reliant reminding the nation that there is no concept of a nation’s independence without economic self-reliance.
In a televised address to the nation on Saturday, the PM criticized the previous government and blamed it for ‘atmosphere of distress’ prevailing in the country.
However, PM Shehbaz said that due to the efforts of the current government, Pakistan was saved from going bankrupt.
PM Shehbaz credited the government’s economic policies, such as clamping down on unnecessary imports, for the rupee’s continuous appreciation against the US dollar.
“We should keep national interest above personal interest as real political leadership does not look towards the next elections, but at the future of the next generation,” he said.
The prime minister said the government had committed itself to taking the country on the path of economic independence, adding that a “conception of freedom” without the former was impossible.
“Our government left the country self-sufficient in wheat, but the previous government’s negligence led to the import of wheat,” PM said “The previous government did not sign any Liquefied natural gas (LNG) contract for the long term when it was cheap. This negligence has caused people to suffer from load-shedding.”
In the beginning of his address, the prime minister congratulated the nation on completing 75 years as an independent nation.
On the country celebrating 75 years of independence, the prime minister paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for Pakistan’s establishment and congratulated every Pakistani around the world.
He said that the people celebrate Independence Day, Pakistan Day, Quaid-e-Azam Day, and Iqbal Day but the “truth” is, in the last 75 years, the nation has only celebrated these days but not acknowledged the founding father’s purpose.
“That is why my heart is distressed. We must openly admit that we couldn’t give our children that of which they were rightfully deserving.” he added.
He questioned why the nation was still in search of a destination and subject to various crises, foremost being the economic crisis.
He said that only felicitation was not necessary today, adding that he was happy as well as restless.
PM Shehbaz said that introspection of what went wrong was needed.
The prime minister reiterated his call for the formation of a “charter of economy”, saying that time has come for Pakistan to head in the right direction.
