Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif declared on Thursday that Asif Ali Zardari, the presidential candidate of the ruling coalition, will secure a resounding victory in the upcoming election on March 9.
Addressing attendees at a dinner reception held to honor coalition parties, the Prime Minister urged the coalition members to rally support from all quarters, ensuring Zardari’s election with an overwhelming majority on the 9th of March.
During his speech, the Prime Minister highlighted the global attention on how political parties with diverse mandates aim to address the people’s challenges. He emphasized his recent focus on economic issues, noting the substantial challenges faced, including a staggering circular debt of Rs5 trillion in the gas and power sectors and a Rs835 billion debt burden on PIA. Furthermore, he lamented the annual losses of Rs500 billion in the power sector and the dismally low tax base of 9.8% of GDP.
Shehbaz Sharif also mentioned the clearance of genuine refund claims of exporters and the necessity of taking loans to cover losses incurred by state-owned entities. Additionally, he pointed out the pending Rs1.7 trillion in taxes stuck in litigation, attributing the draining economy partially to the collusion of vested interests.
Highlighting the urgency of collective efforts to drive improvement, the Prime Minister underscored the significance of not repeating historical mistakes, warning of the repercussions for future generations. He remarked on the changing dynamics of Pakistan’s international relations, emphasizing the need for self-reliance.
Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also addressed the gathering, acknowledging the severity of economic challenges while expressing optimism about overcoming them.
