PML-N government completing its term despite various challenges: PM

ISLAMABAD, May 24 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Thursday said as the PML-N government was going to complete its Constitutional tenure despite various challenges it faced over the last five years, the masses would give their verdict on the government’s performance through the July 2018 general election.
“After July 28 court verdict, different deadlines were being given by some people in television talk shows about the end of PML-N government with some even claiming that Senate elections will not be held, but we are proud that we faced all such challenges and continued our journey,” he said while speaking in a private television talk show.
To a question Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said after the July 28 court verdict, he was given the responsibility of heading the government by his party and since then he had served the country and people according to his best ability.
He, however, added it were not the individuals who matter but the parties and the policies and the people would make their decision about the PML-N government’s performance in the upcoming general election.
The Prime Minister in response to a question said the government abolished permission for use of automatic weapons by private people and general public, and simplified the procedure for getting arms licenses for non-prohibited weapons.
To another question, he said, with the exception of May and June, which was also due to water shortage and line losses the government had succeeded in ending electricity load-shedding during 10 months.
The Prime Minister was of the view that the issue of circular debt could be addressed through the privatization of DISCOs (Distribution Companies), which was also evident from the fact that K-Electric did not owe any such debt.
About the water issue, he said, Pakistan would be facing the challenge of water scarcity in the coming years, adding, it was the PML-N government which had worked seriously on that issue and the country’s first water policy was formulated.
“We have to understand and realize this fact of water scarcity, and it could be addressed through various measures including water conservation and storage,” he added.
To a question about the involvement of a US Embassy official in a recent accident in Islamabad that caused the death of a motorcyclist, the Prime Minister said the official enjoyed diplomatic immunity, so the government could not stop him from leaving the country.
He, however, added that it was the moral duty of the government to compensate the victim’s family.
The Prime Minister also rejected as “baseless” the report of an Indian newspaper that he and the Chinese president talked about Hafiz Saeed during their recent meeting on the sidelines of Boao Forum or in any other meeting.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in response to a question about Supreme Court’s direction for implementation in Asghar Khan case, said it would be placed before the next Cabinet meeting and the Supreme Court would be informed about it.
About Musharraf case, the prime minister said he (Musharraf) was sent abroad for medical purposes on court’s order.
He said that 30 years had passed in Asghar Khan case but there was no evidence in it.
The prime minister said the country had witnessed major incidents like assassination of the first prime minister of Pakistan, Fall of Dhaka, Kargil, Asghar Khan case etc and the time had come that a Truth and Reconciliation Commission should be formed so that facts could be ascertained and such kinds of incidents could be avoided in future.
The formation of such a commission would not be aimed at persecuting anyone, or to award punishment, but at least the facts behind the major events could be unfolded before the people, he added.
He said it was practiced worldwide, and mentioned the example of South Africa where the apartheid system ruined the society, but they formed a commission to ascertain the facts which had a positive effect on their society.
To another question about Nawaz Sharif interview to The DAWN newspaper, he said, the former prime minister never said that the Mumbai attackers were from Pakistan.
“Whatever impression the Indian media gave about this interview was damaging and had nothing to do with the reality,” he said. Nobody had read the interview but were giving comments, he remarked.
The prime minister said he told the National Security Committee meeting that the statement of Nawaz Sharif was misreported and not a reality.
About the interim prime minister, Abbasi said consultation between him and leader of the opposition was going on, adding, both have forwarded three names each for the interim PM but still there was no consensus on it.
The prime minister said if the issue was not resolved between him and Khursheed Shah then two names each from both sides would be sent to Parliamentary Committee, adding even if it was not decided there, then it would be decided by the Election Commission of Pakistan.
The prime minister appreciated all the political parties on smooth passage of the 31st Constitutional Amendment bill, 2018, by the National Assembly for merging FATA into the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and to bring the people of tribal areas in the mainstream.
He said not only FATA would be integrated with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but the Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (PATA) would also be integrated with the respective provinces.
He said both FATA and PATA would be exempted from tax for the next five year.
The prime minister said only parliament was the proper forum for resolution of all issues faced by the country.