Giving relief to masses govt’s test: Nawaz

LAHORE: PMLN President and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif said Thursday giving relief to the masses in difficult times was a test of the government abilities.

He also has cautioned his party leaders to be careful while speaking on the Faiz Hameed case and related matters.

He was chairing a party consultative meeting in Model Town Lahore on Thursday. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz, Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq, Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar, Khawaja Saad Rafiq, Hamza Shehbaz, Rana Sanaullah, Suleman Shehbaz, Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Owais Leghari, Khawaja Asif, Ali Pervez Malik, Bilal Azhar Kayani, Pervez Rasheed, Marriyum Aurangzeb and Rashid Mehmood Langrial also attended the meeting.

Party sources said the meeting discussed the situation arising out of arrest of Faiz Hameed and pressure on the government and establishment after the arrest of former DG ISI was also discussed. Sources said the meeting decided that the government and establishment would be supported fully on the issue.

A report of the constitutional and legal team on the proposed constitutional amendment was discussed. The meeting also discussed the proposal to ban public processions and demonstrations in Islamabad and Punjab to maintain law and order.

Sources said PM Shehbaz Sharif briefed the participants on the role of parliament to resolve crises involving politics and judiciary. He also gave a briefing on the ongoing protests. He said his government had prepared a comprehensive economic agenda.

Deputy PM Ishaq Dar told the meeting about the latest situation on the country’s economy and negotiations with the IMF. Sources said during the meeting, the government’s strategy for dealing with the opposition was also decided. Detailed consideration was given to provide relief to the public especially on expensive electricity bills. “Expensive electricity bills are unaffordable for people,” sources quoting Nawaz Sharif said.

Sources said it was decided in the meeting that after finalising the national economic plan, PM Shehbaz Sharif will brief the party chief Nawaz Sharif.