ISLAMABAD, Aug 12 (APP):Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday said he had full faith in the success of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in attracting foreign investment.

In a interview with Pakistan Television, he said,”We have a vision and a plan and with untiring efforts and hard work the council’s work can be a great success.”

He said he was satisfied with performance of his government as things had started to improve as he was leaving, adding he successfully led a 13-parties coalition government and he listened to and respected his partners and resolved issues by working together with them.

He said his government faced numerous economic and political challenges besides mammoth floods that wreaked havoc in the country.
His government worked very hard for the deal with the International Monetary Fund(IMF) and ultimately succeeded in securing it, he told.

To a question about foreign relations, he said India’s positive attitude could lead to peace in the region.
“History shows our sincere approach with India,” he said adding, Pakistan and India could live in peace if the two countries were able to resolve their longstanding issues.

He held the the previous government of Imran Niazi responsible for causing economic and political problems and for damaging relations with friendly and brotherly countries.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 11 (APP):Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday invited the coalition parties in his government to sit together and ponder over the possibility of seat adjustment in the upcoming elections.

Speaking at a dinner hosted in honour of leaders of allied parties, he said allied parties had their own manifestos and would campaign for their candidates but they should work for seat adjustments in the elections in view of the challenges facing the country.

He said, “I wholly support seat adjustment among the coalition partners. The consultation will continue for seat adjustment in the elections.”

He said he would invite leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Raja Riaz for finalizing the name of the caretaker prime minister.

The process for finalizing the caretaker prime minister could take eight days because if he and the opposition leader could not reach a decision then a parliamentary committee or the Election Commission could choose the caretaker head of the government, he explained.

Unfortunately, he said President wrote him a letter to finalize the name till Saturday although his assertion was based on ignorance as still many days were left to complete the process, he added.

He said despite insurmountable difficulties, economic and political challenges, inflation and devastating floods, the coalition government remained united and worked for the betterment of Pakistan.

He admitted that the government was compelled to impose levy on petroleum products due to conditions of International Monetary Fund (IMF) which put financial burden on the people.

Inflation was high due to commodities’ prices in the international market and the war in Ukraine, he added.

He said Pakistan produced record bumper wheat crop as compared to the last year in which the country had to import wheat of $ two billion.

The coalition government also faced the political chaos, long marches and unrest caused by unruly elements, he recalled.

He said the government achieved economic and political stability and secured an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which saved the country from economic meltdown and from an imminent default.

Shehbaz Sharif said the incident of May 9, created a new wave of chaos and uncertainty in the country, adding though
the incident also exposed the people who were conspiring against Pakistan.
He remarked that Imran Niazi revolted against Pakistani state, chief of arm staff and damaged integrity of the country.
“Never in the past any political leader acted in such a manner against the Pakistani state.”

He said the issue of cypher was a dangerous development which damaged Pakistan’s relations with the United States.
The present foreign secretary and Pakistan’s former ambassador to the United States Dr Asad Majeed clearly stated that the cypher did not mention that there was any conspiracy to remove the government of Imran Niazi, he elaborated.

Shehbaz said Imran Niazi vitiated the political atmosphere in the country and poisoned minds of youth with his unending and repeated lies.

He said the newly formed Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) would attract investment in the country and lead to greater progress and prosperity.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 11 (APP):President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday underscored the need for the world to go back to its universal values to promote interfaith harmony and peace, resolve conflicts, end poverty and oppression, and tackle issues like global warming.

Speaking at a ceremony on the occasion of National Minorities Day, he urged the leaders of all religions to work together and spread the message of unity, peace and love for the people.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony observed the day every year on August 11.

The president said observation of the day was a pledge that the state would take practical steps to protect and promote the rights of minorities.

He appreciated the prime minister of Sweden for showing leadership on the issue of Islamophobia and after the acts of desecration of Holy Quran. He lamented that in many instances religion was being used for vested interests and to exploit people.

The president appreciated the government for fulfilling its responsibility to restore religious sites damaged in various incidents in the past.

He was of the view that Islam was a religion of community and its basis was to take care of the poor and feed the hungry, and this Islamic tradition was also prevalent in other religions which stressed on alleviating suffering of the poor and needy. Prophet Isa fed the poor and with his miracles restored eyesight and revived health to the diseased, he remarked.

President Alvi said nowadays states were bereft of moral and ethical values and even today they were waging wars and killing humanity.

He emphasized that Islam was a forward looking religion as it protected rights of women and gave them inheritance rights way before those rights were accepted by the Western world. Women should be encouraged to enter all walks of life, including the business world and contribute to economic development of the country, he added.

He also asked the religious minorities to come forward and apply for jobs according to the quotas prescribed in the Constitution. The government institutions were willing to take affirmative actions to fill jobs as per quotas, he add.

Similarly, he said, banks in the past had hired chartered accountants and prepared feasibility studies to facilitate women in getting loans for starting their businesses. Unfortunately not many women sought loans, he said, adding the government and political parties should be more proactive in encouraging women to avail loans offered by the banks.

He categorically stated that Islam was against forced conversions or forced marriages. The Pakistani state had a pact with the religious minorities and the Quaid-e-Azam clearly stated that minorities would enjoy complete religious freedom in the new state.

He said Islam abhorred killing of people and the Sufis who spread Islam had always advocated values of love for family, neighbours, humanity and all the living world.

Leaders representing different religions also spoke on the occasion, stressed for forging inter-faith harmony and called for protection of constitutional rights of minorities. They reiterated that religions were all about peace, kindness, tolerance and co-existence.