ISLAMABAD: PML-N chief Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif Monday said that after formation of government, his top priority would be to revive the national economy.
Talking to BBC in Lahore, the PML-N chief, who looked jubilant after his party got majority seats in the May 11 general elections, the revival of economy was panacea to all the ills and the new government would fully concentrate on it.“The sense of deprivation can only be removed after improving the economy.” When the sense of deprivation is removed it would help resolve terrorism, corruption, unemployment and poverty issues, he added.The PML-N chief was of the view that all the issues confronting the country and nation would be resolved after putting the economy on right track. It would also end extremism and bad law and order situation.
He said that it was one of his top priorities to overcome the energy crisis by taking bold decisions in the best national interest adding that there were vast opportunities of generating cheap electricity in the country, adding this gigantic task could be achieved.To a question about his policy after getting majority votes, he said, they participated in the general polls with good intention and would not change their mind after the polls. He said that he wanted to take all the political parties along.
Nawaz Sharif said that becoming a prime minister was of secondary importance to him, rather his priority was to steer the country out of the present crises and put it on the road to economic prosperity. Nawaz Sharif said that they would invite all the political parties to come forward and make collective efforts in strengthening the economy.He said that all the political parties which got mandate in the provinces had the right to form governments there, and their mandate would be respected.Citing the example of PPP’s mandate in Sindh province, he said they had the right to use their mandate.
When asked whether he would give the right to PTI to form government in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, he said, if PTI could form government there he had no objection.To a question about control over extremism, the PML-N chief said that the issue of dialogue with Taliban should be taken seriously, and stressed this issue could be resolved only through dialogue.“Instead of throwing Taliban’s offer of talk in the dustbin, just like the previous government did, I think it should be taken seriously. All the issues can be resolved with dialogue and everybody should be on the same page about it, and then I think it will have a positive effect,” he added.
About Balochistan issue, he said, mistakes are committed by people and if there was any issue it should be redressed. If some people were annoyed they should be appraoched, as they are Pakistanis, he added.Nawaz Sharif said all stakeholders should be on the same page for resolution of Balochistan problem, adding that dialogue was the only solution to all issues.All the big issues of the world were resolved through dialogue, he added.
To a question about Pak-India ties, Mian Nawaz Sharif said efforts would be made to improve relations between the two countries and all the disputes would be discussed with India.He said that it makes no difference whether the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh first came to Pakistan, or he visited India first, rather talks should continue.
About Pak-US ties, he said that Pakistan always had good relations with the US and hoped that they would remain good in future too. He, however, said that ups and downs were seen in these ties, which needs to be given attention.Regarding drone attacks, Nawaz Sharif said PML-N had a principled stand on this issue that drone attacks should not occur. He said the US should realise that drone strikes were against Pakistan’s sovereignty. – APP
