LAHORE, May 8: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the government is diligently working on the execution of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Reko Diq projects.
The premier stated this while talking to a delegation of Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) in Lahore on Sunday. He reiterated his government’s resolve to religiously follow the CPEC and Reko Diq projects till their completion.
He said as far as our foreign policy was concerned, the government wanted to establish relations with all countries including brotherly Muslim states based on respect and mutual interests.
He expressed his resolve that the government wanted free and transparent elections in the country stressing the need to introduce electoral reforms. He observed that electoral reforms were a must for holding of transparent elections in the country.
The previous government had doubled the country’s debt during the last four years rule which had made the lives of poor miserable, he said, adding that they were making efforts to provide basic necessities of life including flour, health treatment and medicines at subsidized rates.
He regretted that during the previous government’s rule, special arrangements were not made at PKIL like facilities for giving free-of-cost treatment to the poor and deserving patients.
The prime minister stressed upon the solidarity of the nation to resolve the current economic challenges for the welfare of the people and said that holding of march, in this situation, amounted to uncalled for and creation of fissures among the nation.
The prime minister also expressed his resolve to effectively work over the CPEC and Riko Diq projects. He also reaffirmed to maintain ties with all the brotherly nations and other countries on basis of mutual respect and mutual interests.
The premier also informed the CPNE delegation that the government did not have any intention to restrict freedom of press. He assured the editors that journalists would be defended against all the anti-press laws including Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Ordinance.
He told the delegation that his government had already entrusted the task to review the draconian PECA Ordinance to its law ministry.
Praising the CPNE role for the freedom of media, strengthening of democracy, and evolution of democratic institutions in the country, the prime minister said that the government was keen to engage constructively with the CPNE and other media representative bodies for the protection of the rights of journalists and promotion of responsible journalism in the country
Shehbaz vowed to work with the CPNE for the promotion of journalistic responsibilities and security of journalists in the country On power generation, he vowed that his government would ensure production of electricity. -DNA
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