After Zardari, PM calls on Fazl, seeks his support

ISLAMABAD: After President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday visited the residence of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUIF) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in the federal capital. On Saturday last, President Zardari had met Maulana Fazl at the latter’s residence. According to Geo News sources, the federal government has sought help from Fazlur Rehman on the challenges faced by the country. Sources say the purpose of the meetings is to remove the JUIF chief’s concerns and to convince him. The president and the prime minister have assured Maulana Fazl that his reservations would be addressed.

According to the sources, the prime minister said Maulana Fazl is a democratic-minded seasoned politician. The prime minister said he was sure that Maulana Fazl will reject the politics of the anarchist group and asked him to go ahead with democratic political thinking.During the meeting, the two sides discussed the overall political situation of the country. Earlier, Fazl warmly welcomed the prime minister at his residence.

The prime minister was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Interior Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar.

Meanwhile, addressing the federal cabinet meeting chaired by him, the prime minister vowed that the government as well as the armed forces would collectively make the terrorists an example to accomplish the journey of progress and prosperity. “This is for sure the armed forces and law enforcement agencies will collectively make them (terrorists) an example. Without this, the country’s journey of progress and prosperity cannot be accomplished. We have unity of thought and action on this,” he remarked.

Referring to his Thursday’s visit to Quetta, Shehbaz said the provincial government and political leaders unanimously termed any talks with the anti-state elements out of the question. He said the family members of martyrs he interacted with during his visit were in high morale despite losing their dear ones in the terrorist incident. He said on August 26 an atmosphere was created in Balochistan to make it appear that there was some secessionist movement going on. What happened that day was the height of terrorism, which can be hardly condemned in words.

He said the federal government would implement the proposals put forward by the provincial political leaders during his visit. He told the cabinet members that during the visit, the Quetta corps commander gave a presentation on the challenges faced by Balochistan and how the terrorists, funded by foreign forces, were sowing hatred among the people. He said the civilian government was also taking effective measures for the uplift of youth.

The prime minister said officers and personnel of the armed forces were chasing terrorists with the federal government’s support and assured support for the capacity building of Levies. He told the meeting that both the federal and provincial governments were taking measures to engage the youth and protect them from being detracted by anti-state elements. He said a 10 percent additional quota had been allocated for Balochistan in schemes like laptops and agricultural training in China.

Besides, the federal government would spend Rs55 billion to solarise agricultural tube wells in Balochistan. The prime minister said that Moody’s has recently upgraded Pakistan’s rating to indicate the country’s improving economic condition. “This is a long journey. This needs more concerted efforts to improve the economy. The whole nation, including the provincial governments, are united on this,” he said.

He said that the federal government would soon unveil its five-year Home Grown Economic Revival Plan aimed at boosting exports, agriculture, industry, youth uplift, skill and vocational training. “We have to take this journey ahead. Pakistan will soon achieve economic independence and emerge as an economic power as there is no other way out,” he added.

Meanwhile, the prime minister lauded the security forces for carrying out operations against the terrorists involved in killing innocent people in Balochistan. He paid tribute to officers and personnel of the armed forces for killing terrorists in different operations in Panjgur, Kech and Zhob districts. “The war against terrorists will continue till complete elimination of this scourge. We will make an example of those trying to create disorder in the country,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, the federal cabinet approved to start negotiations on the Financial Commitment Agreement between China and Pakistan Railways on the first phase of upgradation of Main Line One (ML-1), a key project of the China-Pakistan Corridor (CPEC). The cabinet directed that the final agreement be presented again before it for approval. The cabinet also approved the decisions taken in the meeting of Economic Coordination Committee on August 29, 2024.

Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz held a telephonic conversation with Chief Adviser of Bangladesh government Professor Muhammad Yunus wherein the two leaders agreed that there was a need to work closely for the progress and prosperity of the people of both the countries. During the conversation, the leaders also agreed that greater regional cooperation could play a vital role in uplifting the lives of the people of South Asia, a PM Office press release said.

The prime minister congratulated Professor Muhammad Yunus on assuming the office of Chief Adviser and lauded his contribution to the socio-economic development of Bangladesh.

He expressed sympathies over the devastation caused by the recent floods in Bangladesh.

The prime minister underscored the importance of revitalising bilateral relations through enhanced cooperation in different domains. Noting the historical, religious and cultural bonds between Pakistan and Bangladesh, he expressed a keen desire to boost commercial relations, cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts.