PM says “If PTI founder facing difficulties, let’s sit down and talk,”
PM Shehbaz Shares Personal Hardships as he Missed his Mother’s Funeral Due to Prison Denial,
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has emphasized the need for an agreement on an economic pact, following the consensus on the Charter of Democracy. He extended an invitation to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to come forward and talk if he is facing any difficulties.
Islamabad(Mudassar Iqbal/Webdesk);Addressing the National Assembly session, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, “In my first speech, I had mentioned that we agreed on the Charter of Democracy, and now we should also agree on the Charter of Economy. Although the government was theirs, my offer was not only rejected, but the slogans raised in this House will always be remembered as a dark chapter in history.”
He emphasized that if anyone faces injustice, the scales of justice should always be tipped in their favor, regardless of whether they are a political leader or from any other sphere of life. He recalled, “In my budget speech the following year, I made the offer again to sit down and talk, and once again, chants were raised that are an insult to this House to mention.”
Shehbaz Sharif pointed out the current state of bitterness in the political landscape, questioning who is responsible for it. He lamented, “Today, after 76 years, we have reached a point where we hesitate to even shake hands with each other. There was a time in this country when despite severe criticism and opposition in the Assembly, politicians shared each other’s joys and sorrows.”
The Prime Minister extended a hand to Imran Khan, saying, “If PTI founder Imran Khan is facing any difficulties in jail today, let’s sit down and talk, and settle the issues.”
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He recounted an emotional episode from his past, saying, “In his emotional speech, Ali Muhammad mentioned various points, but I wish he had also mentioned that when my mother passed away, I was in jail. I told the superintendent that today is a historic day; my mother has died, and her body is coming from London. I will write a request for leave today, to which he replied that the order has come that you will go and return after attending.”
Shehbaz Sharif continued, “When I went to court, I hoped that the judge would say, ‘Why have you come? Your mother has passed away; you should go back.’ But when our lawyer requested permission, the judge said no, we have called witnesses today, and their statements will be recorded at all costs.”
He further declared, “I announce here in front of the entire House that I do not want the injustices that happened to us to happen to them as well. I will submit to them that let’s sit down and take the country forward, sit down and talk for development and prosperity and for the betterment of Pakistan.”
It is noteworthy that yesterday, during the budget speech in the National Assembly by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, significant amendments were announced in the Finance Bill 2024-25, after which Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed in his speech that the budget was prepared jointly with the IMF.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the floor to respond to questions raised by PTI’s member of the National Assembly about the deprivations of South Punjab and the wealth tax. He stated, “In view of the current situation of the country, we had to prepare the budget together with the IMF.”
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Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed positive hope regarding the IMF program but refrained from making premature statements. He said that if the government receives any response from the IMF, it will share it with Parliament. He also expressed hope for ‘good news,’ but did not clarify whether the Prime Minister was referring to the IMF bailout package or tax relaxation on fertilizers.
