ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Wednesday told his cabinet members to roll up their sleeves to meet the challenges of inflation, unemployment, poverty, and load-shedding, for turning the desperation into an opportunity for progress and public relief.
The prime minister, chairing the maiden meeting of his cabinet which took oath on Tuesday, believed that their dedicated and sincere efforts could turn the tide and make the country cope with the challenges successfully.
He congratulated the cabinet members coming from different political parties of the ruling coalition and said the federal cabinet comprised seasoned politicians with vast experience and competence having huge struggles to their credit.
“I call this a war cabinet as we are fighting against inflation, unemployment, and poverty which we inherited from the previous government. The previous government had badly failed,” he remarked.
The PM cautioned that there were a number of challenges facing the new government such as load shedding, shortage of gas, and oil prices. “You will be briefed about all of them with facts so that we can, together, explore the most beneficial measures for the public.” He directed.
He revealed that the country was “drowning” in debt and it was the government’s job to “sail this ship ashore”. “Dozens of warehouses and factories are closed due to lack of electricity and gas. We need to immediately find solutions,” he urged, adding that growth, not politics, was the priority for his cabinet right now.
He expressed the hope that despite representing their own political parties, the coalition members would move on setting aside their personal biases with just one aim to serve the masses. He also reiterated his resolve for making untiring efforts to come up to the people’s expectations.
The prime minister said though the cabinet formation faced a bit of delay, yet if was done consisting of very competent and experienced members. He urged the cabinet to pay attention to the issues faced by the federating units, particularly Balochistan.
“Today, we have to face the challenge collectively and should not evade any sacrifice. We will have to respond to propaganda through facts, which would ultimately bury the lies,” he remarked.
Recalling the immense victimization of all opposition parties during the previous government, the prime minister said corruption was rampant during the last three and half years.
Citing the successful journey of the development of Germany and Japan, the prime minister said despite being badly hit by the second world war, both the countries bounced back and achieved excellence just on the basis of their struggle.
Prime Minister Shehbaz told the cabinet members that besides the politicians, the bureaucracy also faced huge pressure from the previous government which wanted them to act as an approver against that time’s opposition.
He said the government machinery including bureaucracy, doctors, engineers, and others needed the backing and encouragement of the government to make them perform better.
