Shahbaz dismisses speculations about NRO

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif dismissed on Tuesday speculations about his trip to Saudi Arabia as an effort to strike an NRO.

Talking to newsmen at the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute (PKLI) immediately after his arrival from Saudi Arabia, he said the Kingdom was a trusted friend which had always sided with Pakistan in every hour of trial.

He brushed aside the question of a reporter on the NRO by saying ‘for God’s sake’ and ignored the questioner. “The relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is very deep-rooted and both the countries trust each other,” said Shahbaz.

He said his visit to Saudi Arabia was not a surprising thing, adding, “The Saudi government offered me to perform Umrah.” He travelled on a special Saudi plane, not on a private plane as suggested by some people, he said in his reply to a question.

Shahbaz went to different sections of the PKLI and inspected the facilities being provided to patients there. He also inquired after the health of the patients about the medical facilities provided to them. He also talked with the staff members and said the institution would emerge as a state-of-the-art facility for the treatment of ailing humanity.

The chief minister also presided over a meeting to review the timeline for the completion of leftover assignments of the first phase and issued necessary directions for early completion of the second phase. Later, the chief minister inaugurated the approach road from Bedian Road to PKLI.

Separately, Shahbaz termed the statement of President Donald Trump with regard to the US aid to Pakistan as irresponsible, which contained serious allegations against Pakistan and the Pakistani nation. In a statement, he said the whole nation should unite to give a response. In the backdrop of Trump’s statement, it was need of the hour that the people should design their future line of action by maintaining full national unity, Shahbaz added.

"All segments of the country including political parties, national leadership, military establishment as well as other stakeholders should play their full role in the formation of unified strategy," he said. Pakistan couldn't afford any anarchic activities at the current juncture, the chief minister added.

Shahbaz Sharif said the military leadership had rightfully made it clear that Pakistani nation would give a befitting response in case of any aggression. "We honestly believe that the whole nation should firmly stand along with armed forces of Pakistan by setting aside all political and organisational differences for maintaining defence and solidarity of the country," the chief minister stressed.   Earlier in the day, Shahbaz returned home from his Saudi Arabia visit by a special plane of the Kingdom’s government.