NAROWAL: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday called upon his political opponents “telling lies on a daily basis” to stop hurling baseless and dirty accusations at the government, hence hindering the country’s economic development. “Some politicians tell lies on a daily basis. There is no break for them… They hurl dirty accusations, which have no basis and truth. This nation is progressing. Don’t hinder the way of this development,” he said while speaking at the launching ceremony of PM’s National Health Programme (NHP). The premier said that owing to his government’s prudent policies over the last three-and-half years, the backbone of terrorists had been broken, load shedding of electricity curtailed to a large extent and Pakistan put on the course of development. He said that with inflation going down, Pakistan’s economy was expected to grow at around 5.5 percent during the current fiscal year. He said that Pakistan’s economic performance was also being recognised by the world. “If you cannot assist us in this development, at least stop creating hurdles,” he remarked. He, however, added that people had become much aware about national affairs. He said that the masses could now differentiate between the truth and lies, and “cannot be deceived” by unfounded lies. The premier said that 160,000 families of Narowal were being provided with NHP cards, which would help them in getting free medical care at public and private hospitals. He thanked all those, including his daughter Maryam Nawaz, State Minister for Health Saira Afzal Tarar and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, for assisting him in the successful launch of the NHP in Narowal and other areas. He said that under the programme, the government would provide Rs 250,000 per annum as medical cover to each poor family, and added that in case of a major disease “more funds will be made available from Baitul Maal”. He said this programme would be extended to the whole of Pakistan.