LAHORE
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said that tough conditions imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is forcing the government to raise prices of electricity in the country.
He said this while addressing the graduation ceremony of probationary officers of the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS), in Lahore he noted that his administration always valued merit and rewarded hard work of personnel operating in public service.
He added that poor decisions taken over the past 75 years has contributed to its current poor economic condition.
During the speech, he narrated how he was embarrassed to ask for additional funds from UAE during his recent trip to the Gulf Emirate. “It was not on the agenda but I gathered courage and laid out my problems before the UAE ruler and asked him for an additional $1 billion,” he said.
He added that in their one-on-one meeting, he elaborated how embarrassed he was asking for more money and what the UAE may think but that he considered them as elder brothers and that Pakistan’s current situation was such that he was left with no other option.
“On one hand we have a nuclear weapon in our pocket but on the other we have this economic crisis ,” he recalled telling UAE President Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
At this, Shehbaz said, Al Nahyan said that he had approved the funds out of his own will and that they pray that God eases Pakistan’s troubles.
Shehbaz said that harsh conditions of the IMF has backed them into a corner where the poor was getting crushed and that they needed help to get back on their feet.
The prime minister reminded them that after assuming their basic responsibilities in the practical life, they would be confronted with issues like unemployment, poverty, disease, lack of education and delayed response to public problems.
Appreciating the civil bureaucracy, the prime minister said that he personally knew a number of good officers who had strived to serve the country by shedding their sweat and blood.
In a veiled reference to the previous government, the prime minister said baseless allegations were leveled against certain officers which caused embarrassment for their families.
PM pins hope on civil servants to steer country out of current challenges
He said due to such a situation, the civil bureaucrats, thought twice before taking any step in the performance of their duties which was a real stumbling block.
The prime minister stressed that it should be a collective agenda of them all and the political hierarchy to provide an enabling environment to the civil bureaucracy to serve the masses with dedication. If an amicable environment was provided to the civil servants, they could excel with their full potential, he added.
He observed that in the world, there was not a difficulty that could be surmounted.
Referring to the performance of the bureaucracy, the prime minister cited that he had set a two-month target for the civil administration for the establishment of education facilities in one of the flood-affected areas of Balochistan and during his recent visit to the province, he admired them for establishing a smart school within the stipulated timeframe.
Terming them as ‘Future of Pakistan’, the prime minister expressed the optimism that they would perform with dedication and honesty as the nation had attached expectations to them.
“Let’s move to transform Pakistan into Quaid’s and strive to turn it stronger. The people will remember you for your yeoman’s service,” he said.
The ceremony was attended by Governor Punjab Balighur Rehman, retired judge, officers and a number of families.
The prime minister elaborating his viewpoint over the economic challenges faced by the country also regretted that during the past 75 years, different governments whether headed by the political leadership or military dictators could not address the economic issues.
In the past, time was wasted with the creation of chaos and protests, he added.
The prime minister said that sustainable development goals (SDGs) could be achieved if their bus could have moved at fast pace and on the right track and they could not have sought foreign loans.
The prime minister also congratulated the officers of PAS on the completion of their courses and said that they were the brightening stars of the nation, holding keys of country’s future in their hands. He also commended them for serving the flood-affected people and visiting different areas of the country.
Earlier, Director General Civil Services Academy, Lahore Omer Rasul highlighted the role and contributions of the academy in training the future bureaucrats to serve the county and masses with their capabilities and dedication.
The prime minister also gave away certificates to the outstanding officers.
