True Independence Only Possible Through Economic Sovereignty – Shehbaz
PMLN President and National Assembly Opposition Leader Shehbaz Sharif has said the country can never become what it’s Quaid Muhammad Ali Jinnah wanted if divisive politics polarising the nation, persecution and victimisation in the name of accountability and beggary in the name of economic policy continues.
In his speech on the 74th Independence Day, Shehbaz said the modern day battlefield is economic supremacy and countries lose and strengthen their sovereignty and independence not through wars but through economic independence and capacity. If Pakistan’s government continues to build debt from various countries and surrender its sovereignty to international financial institutions like the IMF, the dream of true independence will remain elusive.
nation, its political leaders and especially those in power will need to rise above their lust for power, privilege and money to work on a national agenda for the progress development and prosperity of Jinnah’s Pakistan.
He said the same devotion, dedication and commitment to purpose is required like the PMLN government under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif had. He reminded how PMLN came into power with the country under excruciating 18 hours load-shedding and an ailing economy. But within 4 years PMLN got rid of load-shedding and installed power capacity in excess to demand. He told how under Nawaz’s leadership PMLN installed multiple billion rupee projects with unquestionable transparency in record time. He told how the PMLN government lifted the country out of economic turmoil to become one of the fastest growing economies. He said if even a dime of corruption in the projects done in the last PMLN government were to be proven, he would apologise to the nation and quit politics for good.
But he said it is extremely disappointing to see how despite installed capacity load-shedding is making lives of Pakistanis hell in heat and humidity. He expressed worry over how the 5.8 GDP has plummeted into negative 1.5 and how the country is now buried under twice the debt. He pointed out how one Peshawar Metro took the same amount of funds as 3 metros by PMLN government.
Shehbaz said the priorities will need to change, the accusatory politics, persecution in the name of prosecution, victimisation in the name of accountability only to corner the opposition must end.
The PMLN President renewed his call for a more aggressive and effective foreign policy for the right of self-determination for Kashmiris instead of chest-beating and cosmetic measures. He said the people of Pakistan and of IOJK will never forgive if Pakistan lapses in its efforts for Kashmir cause.
