Nation has been taken into confidence on assets: PM

Says opposition has changed its goalpost;
ToRs comprehensive, no need to change; no proposals
presented by opposition worth consideration

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Friday that he had taken the nation in confidence on the matter of his assets. He said that the opposition has changed its goalpost on the inquiry commission for probing the revelations made by the Panama Papers.

He made it clear that the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the proposed commission to probe the Panama Papers were comprehensive and there was no need to change them.“The opponents of the government are changing their goalpost on every step under flimsy pretexts as they have failed in putting up any counter proposals worth consideration,” he said.

The prime minister, who initiated one-to-one regular interaction with the members of  parliament early this week for making a fresh assessment of the development projects in various parts of the country, was talking to three MNAs namely Alam Dad Laleka, Irfan Dogar and Mian Najeeb-ud-Din Awaisi separately here on Friday at the PM House.

The members felicitated the prime minister on the victory of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) candidate in the by-elections for the National Assembly in Balochistan and said it showed the people’s confidence in Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his policies. “It is an utter rejection of those who have been steering a malicious campaign against the government and the country as the opponent candidate has suffered a defeat by a huge margin,” the MNAs maintained. They also congratulated the prime minister on successful and mammoth public meeting in Mansehra on Thursday.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif thanked the MNAs for their sentiments and said the government had completed a record number of development projects during the last three years. He said that 10,000MW electricity would be added to the national grid soon and it would not only end the power outages but also provide cheap electricity to consumers. “The world institutions are also recognising the economic strides made by Pakistan which were predicting a gloomy picture for the future of the country in recent past. The inflation rate had also witnessed a growth while foreign exchange reserves were standing at a record level. The government is trying very hard to improve it further,” the prime minister added.

He said he had already taken the nation into confidence about his assets but some elements were still resorting to negative politics while responding to positive steps of the government.Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that the decision taken to form the commission under the supervision of the Chief Justice of Pakistan had been made in view of the demand made by the political parties.

He regretted that his opponents had been changing their stance again and again on the matter and undertaking politics of hollow slogans.The elected representatives of the people appreciated the prime minister’s decision of presenting himself for accountability. They reposed full confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and development schemes launched by him.The prime minister asked the MNAs not to leave any stone unturned in public service.