Shehbaz confident caretaker PM would ensure transparent polls
Pakistan
He says 16 months were full of challenges
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif delivered his farewell address to the nation on Sunday,
At the outset of his speech, he said that after his government's 16-month term was over, a caretaker government would take charge.
The departing premier took office in April last year after the PTI chief was deposed from office through a vote of no-confidence.
Shahbaz stated, "We came [to power] through constitutional means," adding that his government was satisfied at the end of its tenure that it had not abused the authority granted to it.
He praised Senator Anwaarul Haq Kakar of the Balochistan Awami Party on being chosen as interim prime minister and added, "He belongs to our great province Balochistan, and I am sure that... he will ensure that free and fair elections are held in the country."
The premier also expressed his gratitude to the people of the country and other party leaders for their support in allowing him to carry out his duties as the head of state.
The prime minister continued by listing what he called his government's accomplishments and the steps it had taken to put the nation on the path to development and financial independence.
"Over the past 16 months, we have travelled a difficult and fiery route. Soon after we came to power, it became obvious that Pakistan was dealing with incredibly devastating circumstances. Even a day's delay would have done the state severe harm.
"We would have benefited politically if elections had been held as soon as we took office. However, the dire circumstances in the nation prevented us from advancing politically.
"We valued Pakistan's national interests and were not self-centered. Time has shown that we made the best decision out of all the difficult ones we had to make," he continued.
The PM attributed the inflation to the previous PTI administration and claimed that in order to prevent a default, his government was forced to make difficult choices.
He said that the moment had arrived to provide the underprivileged and needy the resources that were rightfully theirs. "The sacrifices made by the impoverished are sufficient. Now is the moment for the wealthy to make sacrifices."
PM Shehbaz expressed the wish that, as in the past, businessmen and entrepreneurs will help the needy and contribute to the nation's financial independence.
More to follow...
