ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has declared that not a single day’s delay in the upcoming elections will be tolerated, scheduled to be held on July 25th.
In his final address to the National Assembly, the premier expressed that many undemocratic governments assumed power in the country but none of them ‘delivered’ adding that Pakistan’s issues can only be resolved by a democratically-elected government.
“Pakistan’s issues can only be resolved through a government which comes through the will of the people,” observed the premier.
He shared that the need of democracy and Pakistan today is free and fair elections for which freedom of media plays a pivotal part.
Abbasi alsolauded the opposition’s role as the PML-N-led federal government became the second democratically elected government to complete its tenure in the history of Pakistan.
The outgoing PM also lavished praise on the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah, saying he served as an exemplary opposition leader and did not leave anything in his struggle to take forward the democratic process.
He also thanked National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq for the way the assembly conducted its business over the past five years.
“You never let the opposition feel that you are partial towards one side and tried your hardest to have consensus in the house over all matters,” said Abbasi as he addressed the chair.
Highlighting the achievements of his government, PM Abbasi said that despite internal and external challenges, economic growth was recorded and Pakistan’s security situation improved considerably since PML-N assumed power.
“We should analyse the past five years and see how the country was when the [PML-N] government assumed power and if there is any change in it now,” he continued.
Abbasi expressed that Karachi used to be the fifth most dangerous city in the world but hastened to add that it is no more ranked in the top 50 most dangerous cities. He also appreciated the efforts of all parties for establishing law and order in Karachi.
The incumbent Pml-N’s government is completing its five-year constitutional term tonight after which the National Assembly will stand dissolved, paving way for the establishment of a caretaker setup before the general elections scheduled on July 25 this year.
The five-year term of the Punjab Assembly and Balochistan Assembly is also ending tonight.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah have already named former chief justice Nasirul Mulk as the interim prime minister of the country.
