Now it’s time for elite to sacrifice: PM

LONDON/NEW YORK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that those involved in attacks against the Pakistan Army on May 9 cannot be forgiven, as they have committed crimes against the nation that are unpardonable.

The premier spoke to the Pakistani media in London after participating in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session. He arrived in London on Saturday night and will depart for Pakistan on Monday.

The PM condemned the campaign against military leadership, including General Asim Munir, on social media and hinted that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was behind it. He described PTI’s campaign on social media as vulgar and abusive and a manifestation of digital terrorism, adding it reflected how the party was exceeding all limits to harm Pakistan. He also accused the PTI government trying to sabotage the Pakistan-China relations and the corridor project.

The PM remarked, “Filthy language is being used on social media against the Pakistan Armed Forces. We will not tolerate this.”

He expressed his satisfaction that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other credit agencies have confirmed that Pakistan’s economy is stabilising and improving, showing an upward trend.

He said, “Without the help of our brotherly countries — Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and China — the IMF programme wouldn’t have been possible. Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir had made personal efforts for economic development and played a significant role in the revival of the IMF plan. The army chief had visited a brotherly country to discuss the IMF programme. I hope this will be the last IMF programme.”

Shehbaz thanked the leadership of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, and China for their support in helping Pakistan’s economy.

He mentioned that the Saudi King is playing a leadership role on the issue of Palestine.

The PM criticised the previous government for damaging relations with China. He said, “I was accused of taking a 45% commission in a deal with China. After two years of investigation, the UK National Crime Agency cleared me.”

The PM emphasized that economic stability cannot be achieved without political stability and assured that his government was doing everything possible to ensure this stability.

He explained that he was able to convey Pakistan’s viewpoint on Palestine and Kashmir to the world. “In my UN address, I conveyed the voice of the Pakistani people to the world as the elected prime minister. We exposed the inhuman atrocities being committed in Gaza, condemned the events in Lebanon, and called for an immediate ceasefire in Palestine. The establishment of an independent state of Palestine is necessary, and Palestinians should have representation at the UN.”

He added, “Kashmiris have been fighting for their freedom for a hundred years. They should be granted the right to self-determination; Burhan Wani’s name was mentioned at the UN.” The PM said, “We saved Pakistan from the brink of default and brought it back. The burden of extreme inflation in Pakistan is decreasing, and we are moving toward economic growth. The tax base needs to be increased; the common man has been sacrificing for 70 years, and now it’s time for the elite to sacrifice.”

For durable peace, the premier called on India to reverse the unilateral and illegal measures it has taken since August 5, 2019, and to enter into dialogue “for a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, under UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.” Shehbaz also demanded an immediate end to the ongoing Israeli atrocities in Gaza, terming it “systematic slaughter” and “bloodshed.” The prime minister urged the United Nations to work for durable peace through a two-state solution.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also attended a reception hosted by US President Joe Biden in honour of the heads of government participating in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York. President Biden and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met during the reception. Both the leaders expressed good wishes for each other. The heads of state of other countries also attended the dinner.