Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed nation on Saturday night and renewed his offer of a charter of economy. He said, "It is need of time that we as a nation continue our course in right direction and don't allow national interest to be sacrificed at altar of personal ego and stubbornness."

He said government had committed itself to taking country on path of economic independence, adding that a "conception of freedom" without former was impossible.PM credited government's economic policies, such as clamping down on unnecessary imports, for rupee's continuous appreciation against dollar. "By adopting austerity, we will depend on our own resources like self-independent nations." He said government had "worked hard day and night" to take country out of current economic crisis in a short time, because of which country was saved from financial default.

PM blamed PTI government's economic policies and decisions for much of country's woes, adding that it left country's biggest trade deficit in history for which loans had to be taken from allied nations and international financial institutions. "Is this real freedom?" He alleged previous government's created financial crisis had made situation more "critical".

Prime Minister paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for Pakistan's establishment and congratulated every Pakistani around world. However, he said "reality" was that people had only celebrated Independence Day in name for last 75 years, instead of adopting its "real aims". "That is why my heart is distressed. We must openly admit that we couldn't give our children that of which they were rightfully deserving." Prime Minister said country also faced a crisis of sentiments, explaining that "seeds of hate" were being sown and nation was being divided. Despite that, he said country's past was filled with examples of pulling through with hard work and passion, such as establishment of Pakistan or completion of nation's nuclear programme.

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 14 2022

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