Action is being taken against culprits, not any one party: PM Nawaz

SIALKOT: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said that the operation that has commenced against criminals will be brought to a conclusion without stepping back.

While addressing the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Sialkot, the PM also announced plans for building a Sialkot-Lahore expressway, and said that Sialkot has a special significance in the country’s economy and investment in the area will be encouraged to further enhance exports.

He went on to say that the action being taken is against culprits in Karachi as well as the whole nation and is not directed towards any one political party, adding that this operation will continue.

He further said that the government is trying to bring peace to Karachi and that no one else paid attention to this problem before.

PM Nawaz also added that gun culture will be eradicated from the whole country.
Speaking about Operation Zarb-e-Azab, he said it has been very successful in eliminating terrorists’ hideouts and that the nation must pay tributes to those who have sacrificed their lives for this cause.

He went on to say that politicians are criticised but what have the dictators given the nation. He further asked that where is the seven-point success agenda plan of Musharraf now, adding that dictators have only deceived Pakistan.

He further said that there is no allegation of corruption against the government but there is still a need to simply transparency laws in the country.

On the economic performance of the government, the PM said economy is turning around as a result of effective and prudent policies.

He said that foreign exchange reserves have also improved while International institutions are also recognising Pakistan's improved economic indicators.

PM Nawaz went on to say that the government has reduced bank borrowing in order to give space to the business community, adding that it has reduced interest rate and it will be further cut in order to promote economic activities in the country.

The Prime Minister said it was of utmost importance to end power shortages which are badly affecting the business community. He added that the govt has decided to produce 3,600 megawatt of electricity through LNG while 4,000 megawatts of electricity will be imported from China. He said 10,000 megawatts of additional electricity will be added to the national grid by the end of 2017 which will rid the country of load shedding.

He further said the government wants to reduce the tariff of electricity and to achieve this objective, it is exploiting cheap sources of energy including coal and LNG, while similarly the govt wants to end gas shortages and reduce its price.