KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was urged to improve ties with neighbouring countries, including India, to boost the country’s economy.
The suggestion came from a prominent business leader during a ceremony attended by the prime minister in Karachi on Wednesday.
Pakistan had downgraded its relations, including suspending trade, with India after the Modi-led government unilaterally altered the special status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in August 2019 — a move Islamabad believed hindered talks between the two nations.
Pakistan has linked the normalization of ties with India to the restoration of IIOJK’s special status.
During a Q&A session, businessman Arif Habib commended PM Shehbaz’s previous efforts in securing a bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Referring to the PM’s meeting with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva in June last year, Habib suggested the premier “forge two more alliances” — one with India and another with the PTI founder, aiming for stability in the country.
“[…] secondly, you should also forge an alliance with an inmate of Adiala jail. I think these two steps will yield positive results,” he remarked.
The PTI founder remains incarcerated after facing various criminal charges, including the Official Secrets Act, terrorism, and corruption.
Khan, the deposed prime minister, was removed from power through the opposition’s no-confidence motion in April 2022. However, the PTI alleged that Khan’s ousting was orchestrated by the United States supporting the opposition’s motion.
The PTI founder was arrested in August last year following his conviction in the Toshakhana case. Later, he was also convicted in cases related to secret marriages, with appeals pending in respective courts.
PM Meets Sindh CM
Earlier today, PM Shehbaz assured Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah of the federal government’s full support in resolving issues raised by the provincial authorities.
“We will work together like brothers, like a team in the interest of the people of Pakistan,” said the premier during a meeting at the CM’s House.
The prime minister emphasized that working together is vital for progress and prosperity and reiterated no compromises on this front.
PM Shehbaz assured CM Murad of his availability at his disposal.
The premier’s assurance followed the provincial chief minister’s complaint about the lack of federal support for Sindh’s inclusion in new development schemes.
“In the last four years, the federation ignored Sindh in new schemes,” the chief minister informed PM Shehbaz during their meeting in Karachi today.
Various matters were discussed during the meeting chaired by the premier, held after his arrival in the port city for a day-long visit after assuming office for the second time.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
