Says \u201cno one would feel free to speak with prime minister out of privacy concerns\u201d because of such scandals
\nISLAMABAD
\nPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said \u201caudio leaks\u201d had marred the country\u2019s standing in the international community as no one would feel free to speak with the prime minister out of privacy concerns.
\nHe said this while addressing a press conference at the Prime Minister\u2019s House in the federal capital.
\nThe younger Sharif said the \u201caudio leaks\u201d scandal was a critical matter and he was in the process of forming a high-level committee to probe into it.
\n\u201cWho is going to visit the Pakistani prime minister from overseas now?\u201d the PM questioned. \u201cThis scandal has put the prestige of a 220 million-strong nation at stake.\u201d
\nReplying to a question, the PM dismissed allegations that PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz ever sought favour from him for the import of machinery for her son-in-law.
\nThe prime minister said he fought Pakistan\u2019s case with all his might at the United Nation\u2019s 77th General Assembly and highlighted the plight of millions of flood victims before the world nations.
\n\u201cI don\u2019t think we have done anything to deserve the disaster of flooding that has displaced millions and so far claimed the lives of over 16,00 people,\u201d the PM while talking to the press.
\nThe PM added he had fruitful meetings with the world leaders, especially the heads of the state of China and Russia, who also pledged aid for Pakistan\u2019s flood-hit population.
\nHe said unlike the last government headed by the PTI, the coalition regime was going the extra mile to reconnect with the world, especially friendly countries.
\n\u2018We are now coming out of diplomatic backwater\u2019
\n\u201cThe PTI government isolated Pakistan by estranging a number of close allies,\u201d the PM said adding, \u201cnow we are coming out of that diplomatic backwater, thanks to the efforts of our Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto- Zardari, Sherry Rehman, and Maryam Aurangzeb\u201d.
\nHe said the former government pushed the economy to the brink of collapse because of its incompetence.
\n\u201cImran Khan-led government disgraced Pakistan before the world because of their \u2018diplomacy of begging\u2019,\u201d he said.
\nThe PM also alleged that Pakistan\u2019s prestige and honour were jeopardised by the former rulers as \u2014 during their meetings with the global leaders \u2014 they used to carry themselves as though international delegations were beggars.
\n\u2018National secret\u2019
\n\u201cI cannot repeat what the leaders of Pakistan\u2019s friendly nations told me about the previous government, as they are state secrets. You\u2019ll sweat if I tell what they said,\u201d PM Shehbaz remarked, adding that they complained of the last government communicating in a disrespectful manner.<\/p>\n
He added that this behaviour of the PTI government damaged Pakistan\u2019s reputation, while also destroying the economy.<\/p>\n
The premier said that he presented Pakistan\u2019s strong position on Kashmir, Palestine, and Islamophobia. He added that the treatment of Muslims in India was also strongly condemned.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the expenses incurred during his recent visits, PM Shehbaz said: \u201cFrom being the chief minister to becoming the prime minister, I\u2019ve paid all expenses from my own pocket.\u201d<\/p>\n
Talking about the UN\u2019s support of Pakistan\u2019s climate change crisis, the premier said that UN Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres has spoken for the people of Pakistan.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are preparing for the donor conference and will not delay it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u2018Was Khan carrying coffers filled with money?\u2019
\nDuring the presser, a journalist told PM Shehbaz that Khan would run clips of the prime minister in his political rallies showing him begging for money from the world.<\/p>\n
Responding to the journalist\u2019s comment, the premier said: \u201cWas Khan going abroad to give money? If I\u2019m going to beg, then was Khan carrying coffers [filled with] money?\u201d<\/p>\n
The prime minister added that Khan, who accuses him, should look in the mirror.<\/p>\n
He said, \u201cWas Khan going abroad for four years to give them coffers?\u201d<\/p>\n
The premier further questioned if Khan was giving out Pakistan\u2019s money to charity for the last four years.<\/p>\n
\u201cKhan, you should fear God. You have destroyed Pakistan?\u201d PM Shehbaz said.<\/p>\n
\u2018Did they ask us when extending army chief\u2019s tenure?\u2019
\nThe premier further questioned that when they [PTI] extended the army chief\u2019s tenure \u201cdid they consult us?\u201d PM Shehbaz went on to say that whatever decision will be taken will be according to the law and constitution.<\/p>\n
Taking a jibe at PTI\u2019s stance of \u201cimported government\u201d, he said: \u201cIf our government is imported then why would Russia\u2019s president meet me nicely?\u201d<\/p>\n
He maintained that if Russia is ready to provide us with cheap wheat, then we are ready to take it. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Says \u201cno one would feel free to speak with prime minister out of privacy concerns\u201d because of such scandals ISLAMABAD Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said \u201caudio leaks\u201d had marred the country\u2019s standing in the international community as no one would feel free to speak with the prime minister out of privacy concerns. He […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":286055,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-286026","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n