Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that the coalition government is ready to take more 'difficult decisions' to provide relief to relief to the poorer segments of the society hoping that the rich people will support the nation in the tough economic situation.
Speaking to media after chairing a meeting of the federal cabinet, the premier said that inherited severe economic crises left behind by the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, but with hard work and dedication, it will steer the country out of the current challenges.
Criticising his predecessors, PM Shehbaz said that the previous government reduced petroleum prices at the time of their exit from power corridors which smack of conspiracy and based upon ill-will.
"If they had any concerns and felt pains for the people, they ought to leave behind a precedent of serving the masses by providing any relief, so that it can be said that they had worked for the people," he regretted.
PM Shehbaz said that these were hard times, and they had taken difficult and bold decisions and hinted that if required in future, they would take such like steps for the economic turnaround.
"We will not budge from taking the necessary steps to set country’s economy on the right track with hard work and nation’s prayers," he stressed.
He said that the coalition government was determined to steer the country out of the current economic crises by striving day and night.
Expressing his optimism, the prime minister said it was his strong conviction that the good times were in store for the country.
About the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the prime minister observed that the previous PTI's government had promised to increase prices and impose taxes, but they retracted and violated the pact which they ought to abide by.
"Due to such ploys by the previous government, today, the country is facing difficulty with the IMF," PM Shehbaz said.
He also mentioned that global economic situation was complicated as the prices of petrol and grains were spiraling.
The government had decided to increase prices of petroleum products with heavy heart, he said, adding, under a decision in the budget, about 70 million people were being provided financial support worth millions of rupees through activation of a helpline.
The prime minister said that that in the budget, they had decided to divert burden from the poor and levy tax upon the wealthy people.
PM Shehbaz expressed the confidence that the affluent and wealthy class would pay taxes and offer sacrifice for the country and nation.
