ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday thanked all the coalition partners during the farewell session of the National Assembly.

Addressing the last session of the National Assembly before the end of his government’s tenure today, Shehbaz began his speech by recalling that he was elected as the prime minister on April 11 and thanked the lawmakers seated on both sides of the house for showing confidence in him.

PM Shehbaz said his government faced several challenges during its 16-month-long brief tenure. He said that the government had borne the burden of the previous government’s failure.

The outgoing PM said that his government did not send any political rival to jail. This was never our practice, he held.

The outgoing premier condemned May 9 episode when protests had erupted across the country following the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief’s arrest from the Islamabad High Court premises in a graft case.

The PM went on to say that, “May 9 will be remembered as a black day. It was a rebellion against the army, the state and Army Chief Gen Asim Munir.

The premier urged the house to adopt a resolution and pledge that “no one should be allowed to commit such acts against the state or army of Pakistan ever again”.

Shehbaz also recalled the sacrifices rendered in the fight against terrorism.

The prime minister announced he would be sending the advice for the dissolution of the assembly to the president tonight and meet Leader of the Opposition tomorrow to discuss the candidates for the interim PM.

 - Cabinet meeting - 

Earlier addressing the farewell meeting of the federal cabinet in Islamabad, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the coalition government actively worked for welfare and prosperity of the country during a very short span of sixteen months.

The PM said the coalition government sacrificed their politics for the sake of the country and to save it from the economic default.

He said the country was badly affected by the floods last year and rehabilitation of the flood hit people was a big challenge for the government.

Shehbaz Sharif lauded the efforts of NDMA, Pak Army and all other rescue institutions which worked for the rehabilitation of flood affected people.