Cut in power tariff soon: Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said he will give good news to the nation about cut in electricity tariff in coming few days, admitting that the industrial sector in the country cannot develop without reducing power prices.

Addressing a ceremony, held here on Wednesday in connection with the 78th Independence Day of Pakistan celebrations, he congratulated the nation and urged people, especially the youth, to support the government in its efforts to make the country prosperous, stable and peaceful.

He said the youth were the bright future of the country, who could play their role in the country’s development. The next few years are crucial for you and the country; so the youth should focus only on studies and attaining skilled-based education, and should not become a tool in the hands of the enemy, who is out to target them and utilise their capabilities in anti-state activities,” he asked the youth.

He observed that “our enemy is using every tactic to prevent Pakistan from going ahead. Our enemy is scared of our nuclear power. Therefore, it has launched bombardment of lies through digital terrorism.” He said that unfortunately, the enemy was now using the digital terrorism tools to sabotage the country’s development journey. He paid homage to the immense sacrifices of forefathers and countless unsung heroes of the Pakistan Movement, who fought tirelessly for an independent country for millions in South Asia, where they could live according to their beliefs and values.

The prime minister expressed his determination to fight digital terrorism with truth.

As envisioned by Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Pakistan emerged as an independent and sovereign state on the map of the world on August 14, 1947 through the unwavering and steadfast leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and unmatched sacrifices of our ancestors, he added.

He said he knew that people were much worried about high electricity bills, inflation, unemployment and other issues today, and promised that he would provide maximum relief to masses.

The PM paid tribute to people belonging to various sectors including sports, education, health, etc. for bringing good name to the country. He saluted Olympic hero Arshad Nadeem, who won a gold medal for Pakistan in Paris Olympics, and was present in the ceremony, along with his mother.

The prime minister resolved that in order to fulfil the dream of Quid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, he would continue hard work for the county’s development. He said he would address the nation in few days in which he would present a five-year economic plan for bringing about long-term stability in country.

PM Shehbaz condemned the ongoing Israeli barbarism against the Palestinians, saying that “massacre of thousands of innocent Palestinians has diminished our pleasures on the occasion of Independence Day.” He also expressed the government’s resolve to stand by the Kashmiri brothers and sisters until the resolution of the issue according to the will of the people of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir(IIOJ&K).

The premier regretted that due to power politics, conspiracies and own mistakes, “our journey as a nation could not become enviable during the last 77 years”. However, he added, it was also a fact that Pakistan had managed to survive due to the resilience of its people through natural disasters and economic and social challenges. “We should learn from our past and move forward with the renewed pledge and resolve to take the country on the path of prosperity and development,” he added.

He paid rich tribute to labourers, daily-wagers, engineers, doctors, teachers, students, writers, journalists, sportsmen and other sections of society for their contribution to serving the motherland.

He also presented glowing tribute to the valiant personnel of security forces and law-enforcement agencies for rendering supreme sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.