PML-N didn’t do politics of anarchy: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) suffered a lot, but did not do politics of anarchy and dividing people in the larger interest of Pakistan.

Shehbaz extended his heartfelt congratulations to the PMLN on the occasion of the party’s founding day. He said that there were conspiracies to minus party’s President Nawaz Sharif from politics, but his political insight and spirit of sacrifice were a source of honour for him.

Reflecting on the party’s historical significance, the prime minister emphasized the pivotal role of the All India Muslim League and its leaders, including Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in the creation of Pakistan, a PM Office news release said in his message.

“The formation of the Muslim League 118 years ago reignited the desire for an independent homeland for Muslims. Through persistent struggle, the Muslims of the subcontinent were granted the gift of a separate and free nation, Pakistan.” He further added, “In line with the vision of Pakistan’s founding fathers, it is our collective responsibility to work together for the country’s progress and prosperity.”

Shehbaz also highlighted the PMLN contributions under the leadership of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, noting that the party has been dedicated to the country’s development for over three decades. “History testifies to the fact that the PMLN and its leader, Nawaz Sharif, have always prioritised the welfare of people and upheld principled politics,” he said.

“To safeguard Pakistan, the PMLN made sacrifices, placing the nation’s economy and security ahead of its political interests.” The prime minister expressed his gratitude towards the party workers and political leaders, who, alongside the party, boldly stood against military rulers and raised the banner of truth.

He also acknowledged the challenges faced, including imprisonment, but reaffirmed the PMLN’s commitment to unity and national interest over divisive politics. Despite efforts to sideline Nawaz Sharif from politics, the prime minister praised PMLN president’s political wisdom and unwavering commitment to the nation. “The sacrifices made by Nawaz Sharif and the PMLN have strengthened the foundations of Pakistan,” he said.

During the PMLN tenure, significant strides were made in the development of industries, agriculture, and the economy. The prime minister also lauded the party’s success in improving diplomatic relations with friendly nations, which contributed to the welfare of the common man.

“Today, under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif, the PMLN continues to represent the aspirations of people, working tirelessly for the nation’s progress,” he said. With the continued support of the people, the prime minister assured, the government would remain steadfast in its efforts to build a prosperous Pakistan for future generations.

Separately, chairing a meeting on matters related to the New Gwadar International Airport, the prime minister said that the airport would bring prosperity in the area, and would also create new job opportunities.

Extending gratitude to China for constructing an international standard airport equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the prime minister said the airport was an example of Pakistan-China great friendship. He directed the relevant authorities to chalk out a strategy to make the new airport a busy transit point.

He also directed to improve the road system linking the New Gwadar International Airport with other areas of the country, especially the Balochistan province. He also ordered to ensure foolproof security arrangements for the new airport.

During the meeting, the prime minister was informed that flights from Gwadar to Muscat would be started from January 10, 2025, whereas talks on starting domestic and international flight operations by the airlines of Pakistan, China, Oman and United Arab Emirates from Gwadar were under way.

Similarly, the current duration of flight operation of Pakistan Airlines (PIA) between Karachi and Gwadar would soon be increased to three times per week. The meeting was informed that the Gwadar Airport was the largest airport in the country in terms of area which would be capable of handling A-380 airplanes whereas 400,000 people will travel through the airport annually.

Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA) has already issued the Aerodrome Certificate to the New Gwadar Airport whereas the Pakistan Customs has also notified the airport. Similarly, the staff of various departments such as the PAA, Airport Security Force, Pakistan Customs, Anti-Narcotics Force, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and Border Health Service has already been deputed at the airport, the meeting was told.

Land has also been allocated for facilities of cold storage, warehouses, courier services, cargo shades, technical ground support gadgets, fuel farms, hotels and shopping malls at the airport.

The meeting was told that all the banks registered with the State Bank of Pakistan were also in contact with regard to establishment of bank branches and ATM machines at the airport, Additionally, the first part of East-Bay Expressway, meant to improve road link with the Gwadar International Airport, had been completed while the feasibility of the second part was being prepared.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Defence and Aviation Khawaja Asif, Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Minister for Economic Affairs Division Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb and other relevant high officials. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Minister for Privatization, Investment and Communication Abdul Aleem Khan participated via video link.

Meanwhile, the prime minister met the polio eradication team to discuss the ongoing efforts to eliminate polio from Pakistan and emphasized the importance of increasing the use of technology across all health sectors, including polio eradication, to modernise public health monitoring systems and achieve better outcomes.

The meeting included PM’s Coordinator for National Health Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, PM’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq, Federal Health Secretary Nadim Mehmood, National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) Coordinator Anwar-ul-Haq, WHO Deputy National Team Lead Dr Sogair and Senior Advisor of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Dr Safdar, a PM Office news release said.

During the meeting, the prime minister shared that he had received a letter from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation chairman Bill Gates in which he praised the ongoing efforts in Pakistan’s polio eradication campaign. He lauded the tireless work of polio workers in the country, and also expressed his gratitude to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other national and international partners for their support, which has been instrumental in advancing health initiatives and collaborative efforts to eradicate polio in Pakistan.

Shehbaz also directed the formulation of a structured roster for visiting high-risk polio-affected areas during the campaign to ensure even more effective results.

He highlighted the unfortunate rise in the number of polio-affected children in the country, calling for even greater collective efforts to address the issue.

He reiterated the importance of ensuring the security of polio workers, emphasizing that their safety could not be underestimated and called for all possible measures to be taken in this regard.

The prime minister was briefed on the latest developments in the polio eradication campaign, with focus on the significant role played by local communities in making the initiative successful.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Special Representative on Afghanistan Muhammad Sadiq Khan called on the prime minister, and briefed Shehbaz about his recent visit to Afghanistan, according to a PM Office press release. Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi also attended the meeting. --