ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday offered militant groups to hold peace talks in a bid to end the scourge of terrorism in the country.
In his maiden address to the nation after being elected as prime minister for a record third term, Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan was faced with grave challenges, including energy shortage and terrorism. He said every state institution was on the verge of destruction.
Pakistan’s foreign debt, he said, had increased from Rs3, 000 billion to Rs14, 000 billion in 14 years.
The government had to opt for more loans to pay the heavy installments, he said, adding that Pakistan could have gone bankrupt over refusal to get loans.
He stated that solution of energy crisis could take five years. But he added that his government would try to end the power shortfall as soon as possible.
PM Nawaz said that Pakistan was facing the menace of terrorism due to poor policies. “I want to put an end to this game of fire and blood as soon as possible,” he said. He said that terrorism would be eliminated through use of force or negotiations.
“We have lost 40, 000 people, including troops and security personnel due to terrorism,” he said. “I invite those who took to the path of extremism to talks.”
“Our grounds are deprived of foreign tours,” he said.
The prime minister said that drone strikes were in contrast with international laws and national sovereignty.
He said that he considered the Balochistan government of his own. “PML-N could have easily formed a government in Balochistan. But we rendered this sacrifice for the largest interests of country.”
He pledged that his government would extend every help to the Balochistan government to end the bloodshed. He also expressed concerns about the prevailing law and order situation in Karachi. He expressed his desire to build an underground Metro in Karachi.
The premier further said that he immediately intervened after attempts were made to dislodge the current government in Azad Kashmir.
“I am not satisfied with the output and performance of administrative machinery. Pakistan can no more afford corruption and incompetence,” he said.
“We are one nation, we are part of one family. Pakistan is facing through a difficult phase,” he said. “I assure that my government would refrain from doing politics on issues like terrorism and energy crisis.”
He called upon the country’s youth to rebuild this nation.
