Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that former president Pervaiz Musharraf wanted to strike an underhand deal in 2007, which he rejected at that time.

Addressing the parliamentary party meeting of PML-N in Islamabad on Tuesday, the prime minister said that the ex-military ruler sent an indirect message that he was interested in resolving the issues. Nawaz said he doesn’t believe in secret deals. He said that he was made to leave Pakistan during bad times and wasn’t allowed to come back too. “Now Musharraf can’t come back to Pakistan. This is retribution,” he added.

Nawaz said that Pakistan’s economy had witnessed a positive turnaround and was fast growing in the face of numerous challenges inherited by his government in 2013.

He said speedy work was underway on various projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which, once completed, would immensely benefit the country in particular and the region in general. “Pakistan of 2017 is very different from that of 2013,” he said.

The prime minister said his government had initiated mega energy and infrastructure projects to address the issue of power shortages and increasing connectivity within the country. “Our government has overcome the issue of power shortage to a great extent and load shedding will be part of history by year 2018. We are massively investing in motorways, highways and other infrastructure projects as well,” a press release issued by the PM Office media wing quoted him as saying.

The independent and credible financial institutions of the world, he said, had recognized that Pakistan’s economy was stabilizing and on the right path of growth. He said, “We have ensured complete transparency in the execution of the projects and have never compromised on principles.” The dividends and benefits of those projects would reach to all parts and people of Pakistan, he added.

The prime minister said the overall law and order situation of the country, especially in Karachi and Balochistan, had greatly improved under his government which had paid special attention to the development of Balochistan.

He asked his party members to work hard for alleviating the problems of the people of their respective constituencies.

Participants of the meeting lauded the role of the prime minister in personally supervising development projects and reiterated the resolve to work together for the development of the country.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar briefed the meeting on financial stability and economic growth achieved by the government during the last four years.

Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafiq highlighted the projects and performance of Pakistan Railways while citing data which demonstrated manifold increase in resources, profit, and freight and passengers business since 2013.

Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi gave a briefing on energy projects while Minister for Water & Power Khawaja Asif informed the participants on the achievements of his ministry during the last four years.