No room for coup or judicial martial law, premier warns
ABBASI SAYS ONLY THE ELECTORATE WILL GET TO DECIDE THE FATE OF NEXT GOVERNMENT
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi yesterday expressed his confidence that the country’s democratic system would continue to flourish, adding that there was no room for judicial martial law or any coup.
Abbasi said this at the inauguration of the first CCV line and aluminium alloy manufacturing plant located within Sunder Industrial Estate.
The prime minister also said that only the electorate would decide fate of the next government during the upcoming general elections in July, adding that their decision would be respected.
The development and prosperity journey of the country would continue in the run-up to the polls, Abbasi said.
He revealed that while the PML-N government had inherited energy and power challenges from previous administrations, it had managed to solve the energy issues, resulting in the addition of 10,400 megawatts (MW) of power to the national grid. He added that the government had resolved the country’s energy issues for the next 15 years.
The PML-N government had also seen to the construction of a 1,700km six-lane motorway network, which is nearing completion, he said, expressing his resolve to serve the country despite limited resources.
The prime minister voiced his regrets that after the 1999 coup, a case had been registered against PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif for establishing Sunder Industrial Estate. He said it was an irony that those who served the country were punished instead of being respected and hounoured.
He pointed out the irony of individuals who had been rejected in the last general election by public, now preaching morality and integrity.
Abbasi added that there was huge opportunity for Pakistan to increase its exports by adhering to global standards — a requisite to compete globally.
The PM said the government had taken steps to facilitate private sector investment through the introduction of different incentives, which had led to an increase in business activities and eventually boosted exports, paved way for the creation of jobs and generated public coffers.
He added that the government had provided gas, power and infrastructure facilities in an effort to reduce the cost of production.
Abbasi stressed on the need to maintain quality and standards, thus bringing local producers at par with their international competitors, and thus attracting more investors to the country.
The prime minister announced that a tax incentives package would be announced before the next fiscal budget.