Daily Times

SARAJEVO: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday said he would review the Abbottabad Commission report before making a decision to make it public.

Talking to journalists at breakfast, he said he would review the report on his return home.

To a question about the return of Pakistan People’s Party Co-chairman Asif Zardari to Pakistan, the PM said, “Frankly, I am happy on his return. He should come and take over the reins of his party.”

Nawaz said he was in favour of political affinity and mentioned “the Charter of Democracy” signed along with PPP.

He said during the PPP government, he never made any attempt to derail the set-up. Despite differences with the PPP, he said, his party did not adopt the policy of agitation and sit-ins.

He said though 2016 was a difficult year for his government, however it was going to end on a good note.

“To run affairs of the country is not every one’s job, and particularly not for those habitual of doing sit-ins,” he said.

Without naming General Pervez Musharraf, he said even those with seven-point agenda could not make a positive difference and eventually left the nation behind with the curse of electricity load shedding.

The PM dismissed the impression that the government was making effort to end power crisis to win votes in next general election.

In fact, he said, his government was aiming to address all development issues, adding that he would continue the policy of bringing reforms in all sectors.

Nawaz said he was working on fulfilling the objectives of his party manifesto.

He mentioned that a project of construction of 49 modern hospitals was actively being taken up and people in several districts have been issued health cards.

He said transparency had been ensured in the projects of liquefied natural gas and solar plants, and added Rs 100 billion from national exchequer had been saved.

To a question on taking the four regulatory authorities under the government’s control, he said these bodies were meant to regulate the private sector, but these had started regulating the government.

He said this approach by these authorities resulted in delay of several projects, which could not be afforded, and the decision was taken appropriately.

He called for joints efforts to make Pakistan developed and prosperous.

Nawaz said reforms were being introduced in all institutions to further strengthen and improve their performance.

Nawaz said law and order has improved in the country. He said foreign investors were taking keen interest for investment in Pakistan as the country offered huge investment opportunities in diverse sectors. The prime minister said terrorism has been eliminated from the country as a result of sacrifices of security forces and people. He said Pakistan has rendered matchless sacrifices in war on terror and the world was acknowledging Pakistan’s anti-terror efforts.

He said Pakistan and Bosnia enjoyed excellent ties. Nawaz told the newsmen that he visited Bosnia in 1990 and later. He said Pakistan and Belarus also enjoyed excellent ties. He said Belarus has announced to support Pakistan in its inclusion in Nuclear Supplier Group.

Nawaz congratulated his party workers, office-bearers and voters for winning the local bodies elections across Punjab.

He said the people had shown great trust and confidence in the developmental policies of the PML-N.

He said the elected representatives of the local bodies had greater responsibilities and duties to perform by serving the people.

He said the elected mayors and chairmen would better solve the problems of the people at the grassroots level.

Nawaz also visited the monument of Bosnian war martyrs in Sarajevo on Thursday. He also laid floral wreath on monument of war martyrs.

At the Kovaci graveyard, he also prayed for the martyrs. He was accompanied by his Bosnian counterpart and other officials

Later, a farewell guard of honour ceremony was held at the Sarajevo International Airport.