• In veiled dig at PTI, Shehbaz says his party will ‘hold rallies in 2028’; primary focus now should be on improving economy
• Calls for cooperation among political parties, institutions and provinces to tackle challenges
• NA speaker ‘mediating between govt, opposition’ despite pressure from own party, official says

ISLAMABAD: In an apparent rebuke to PTI’s politics of agitation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said the public had rejected the “politics of chaos” and instead prioritised the need for sound economic policies that directly address inflation and steps to improve their living standards.

“The people want a reduction in inflation, solutions to their problems, and economic betterment,” he said in a statement issued by the PM’s Office from London, where PM Shehbaz stopped before heading to New York to attend the UN General Assembly.

The prime minister, stressing the urgency of addressing the public’s economic concerns, called for a shift in political priorities, arguing that instead of focusing on rallies and political gatherings, the immediate need was to improve the economic condition of the masses.

“We will hold rallies in 2028; but right now, it is time to work hard to fulfil the pledges made to the people,” the PM said, apparently referring to the PTI’s recent public meetings in the federal capital and Lahore.

He linked the success of the country’s economic recovery directly to political stability, warning that political chaos would disrupt efforts to provide relief to the public. “Economic recovery is tied to political stability; political chaos means affecting the process of providing relief to the people,” he said.

He praised the people for their role in supporting economic growth by promoting political stability and emphasised that national unity was crucial for sustaining this progress. “National unity for political stability will prove to be the guarantee of Pakistan’s bright economic future and relief from inflation,” he remarked. To address the country’s ongoing economic and security challenges, the prime minister called for collaboration bet­ween political parties, institutions, and provinces. “To tackle economic challenges and terrorism, the nation, political parties, institutions, and provinces must work together,” he urged.

On the economic front, the prime minister was optimistic about the country’s progress, noting that inflation had returned to single digits and that Pakistan’s overall economic situation was improving.

“Thank God, inflation has returned to single digits, and the economic situation is improving.”

NA speaker ‘firm under pressure’

Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq is said to be “withstanding pressure from multiple fronts, including his own party” to mediate between the government and opposition on various issues, according to information shared by NA officials.

The speaker has consistently issued production orders for arre­sted members of parliament, ensuring their participation in key legislative sessions, despite facing repe­ated criticism and opposition from various quarters, officials said.

Referring to Mr Sadiq’s handling of the recent arrests of PTI members following a PTI rally in Sangjani, the officials noted that the speaker had issued production orders and designated Parliament Lodges as sub-jails to ensure the dignified treatment of detained members. “His balanced approach fostered dialogue between law enforcement and political leaders, preventing further escalation.”

The defence of the speaker comes amid allegations — levelled by the opposition PTI and its allies — that he acted in a partisan manner in the matter of the reserved seats, while also allowing the government a wide berth on the issue of a controversial ‘Constitutional Package’, which eventually could not be laid before parliament due to the coalition government’s lack of numbers.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2024