ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated coalition government’s resolve to overcome prevailing challenges “It had taken up for sake of country’s progress”. He lauded Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir’s efforts for securing financial commitments from friendly countries, one of last conditions set by International Monetary Fund (IMF) to unfreeze $ 6.5 billion credit line.

Addressing meeting of coalition parties, summoned to discuss matters related to Supreme Court (SC) decision and Punjab election he said that coalition parties, out of sincerity and commitment to country had shown unprecedented unity throughout first year of their government, “Becoming matter of worry for opposition parties”. He said in beginning, opposition and even people in coalition parties were not hopeful of durability of alliance.

However, all of allied parties manifested their democratic spirit and played their constructive role to maintain unity as well as in steering country out of pervading challenges, he added. PM said despite time-to-time differences on certain matters, allied parties remained united to face challenges inherited from previous government. In democracy, decisions were made through consultation, not imposition, he added. Referring to ongoing controversy regarding court verdict on general elections in Punjab, he said nowhere in world had ever happened that court granted stay on implementation of law even before its promulgation. Decision of three-member bench even prompted bar councils to raise their voice for sake of rule of law, not out of love for government as they also believed that decision was contrary to norms of justice, he added.

He said coalition parties were striving wholeheartedly to take struggle of overcoming challenges to logical end, despite all odds. He told participants that International Monetary Fund’s agreement was in final phase as their last conditionality was to make deposits. He lauded efforts of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Army Chief General Asim Munir for success of process. He told participants of his upcoming telephonic conversation with new Chinese Premier Li Qiang during last week of April when they would discuss matters of mutual interest. “I again assure you that you have elected me your prime minister and I will try my best to live up to your expectations,” he concluded.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 19 2023

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