ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stated that Pakistan “cannot afford enmity” with the United States, adding that Islamabad must strengthen ties with the superpower.
The premier’s remarks about the need to strengthen ties with Washington came during a press conference on Tuesday evening, amid the PTI’s claims that the Imran Khan government was deposed by a foreign-funded conspiracy.
PM Shehbaz Sharif also stated that, while the National Security Committee’s statement is unequivocal and there is no foreign conspiracy, he will consider forming a judicial commission to investigate the cable scandal.
In response to the terror attack in Karachi, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the incident was “very harmful to the country,” adding that Pakistan must improve its security. He stated that he has directed the interior minister to visit Karachi on Wednesday (today) and discuss the safety of Chinese nationals with the Sindh government.
The premier also stated that upon his return from Saudi Arabia, he intends to convene a comprehensive security meeting. When asked who he would meet during his three-day visit to the kingdom, the prime minister stated that he hoped to meet with Saudi leadership in order to strengthen bilateral ties.
He criticized the previous government’s foreign policy, claiming that Saudi Arabia had given Pakistan oil on deferred payment and deposited money with the central bank to help the country’s economy; the PTI government had told Saudi Arabia that “we can raise the issue of Kashmir without you.”
He responded to the government’s plan to manage the economy and deliver on other fronts by saying, “it is a very difficult challenge, but not impossible.”
When asked if he will bring the PTI back to parliament to ensure the role of an effective opposition, the prime minister said that the resignations of PTI lawmakers would first need to be examined to determine who was forced to resign and who did so voluntarily.
In response to the PTI’s planned marches and rallies, he stated that his government does not believe in vengeance politics, but he will not tolerate anarchy in the country. Concerning the media, Sharif stated that he believed in free speech and that it was critical for the media to highlight his government’s mistakes.
When asked if he would repeal the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, he responded that there should be a distinction between the truth and a lie. In response to a question about the new army chief’s appointment, the prime minister stated that it would be done in accordance with the rules.
