Daily Times

KARACHI/HYDERABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Saturday called upon the critics of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government to compare its performance with all the previous governments in terms of number of mega development projects completed in the last five years.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating KPD-TAY Integrated Gas Processing Facility at Tando Jam, he said despite all hollow allegations levelled by certain quarters, the PML-N government would go for completion of all uplift projects aimed at progress and prosperity of the country. He regretted that previous regimes did not pay heed to projects of national importance which hit snags causing losses of billions of rupees to the national kitty and cited the KPD-TAY Integrated Gas Processing Facility as one among them.

“I challenge all who spoke against the PML-N government to hold open debate with us on any issue including power, infrastructure and energy and the projects completed by the past governments,” he said. He also underscored the importance of continuity in the democratic process and said the PML-N government was going to complete its term which would add strength to the system. The government added to the economic stability and presented the sixth people-friendly budget, he said, adding that was the difference between PML-N and other parties.

In response to criticism by the political opponents, the prime minister said the public had given mandate to his government to work till last day in the office. The parliament had to approve the budget and the next government could alter it, he said, and declared that the PML-N would form the next government as well.

He also challenged that the budget contained such public friendly measures and the upcoming government would find it difficult to even change a single word in it.

Addressing a gathering at the residence of PML-N Senator Raheela Magsi in Tando Allah Yar, the prime minister said the people would massively support the PML-N in the upcoming general election on the basis of its government’s performance. He said the people could easily compare the performance of PML-N with other political parties. The PML-N performance outdid the adversaries as it had completed mega development projects in infrastructure, port and energy, which had no parallel in the last 65 years, he added.

He said due to the policies of PML-N government in the last five years, the growth rate had reached 6 per cent, which was set to rise further whereas the provinces were also getting their enhanced shares. He said different political parties formed the governments in provinces and the people could differentiate among them on the basis of performance. When compared with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in Sindh and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the PML-N stood distinct on the basis of fulfilling its promises, he added.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony of a dialysis centre and auditorium at Darul Sehat hospital in Karachi, Prime Minister Abbasi urged the private sector to come forward and play its role for provision of quality healthcare services to the poor people of Karachi. He said the government was making all-out efforts for the provision of facilities in the health sector with innovations, but it was a fact that the private sector could serve well than the public sector. Both sectors should collectively provide healthcare services to the poor segments of society with their combined efforts, he added.

He noted that the economic growth and prosperity of Karachi was linked with the development of the rest of country. No government could ignore Karachi and there was no politics, he added.

After the 18th constitutional amendment, the subjects were devolved to the provinces, however the federal government still considered its responsibility to develop the mega city and referred to the Karachi package. He directed the Sindh governor to pursue the package in consultation with the mayor of Karachi.

The prime minister said the federal government had also resolved the power issue. When it came to public issues, all parties were on one platform and there was no political divide, he added.

He said the government had announced tax incentives for the business class and investors, which were unprecedented in the whole world. He called upon the investors and private sector in health sector to take maximum benefits from the incentives and serve the humanity.

Published in Daily Times, April 29^th 2018.