IN the backdrop of an aggressive propaganda campaign unleashed by some vested interests to create confusion about legitimacy of the setup emerging out of 2024 elections, it is encouraging to note that ascension of Shehbaz Sharif as Prime Minister has sparked confidence not only among business circles within Pakistan but also optimism among friends of the country. Internally different political personalities and stakeholders have expressed the confidence that the country would move forward on the road to progress and development under the leadership of Shehbaz Sharif while global leaders including President Xi Jinping of China/Premier Li Qiang, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi have expressed keen interest to work with the new leadership of Pakistan to take the mutual relationship to new heights.
The evolving situation augurs well for the country as the anarchic approach of some parties poses threat to the political stability and prospects of economic development. It is also important to note that the would-be President and Co-Chairperson of the PPP Asif Ali Zardari has declared Shehbaz Sharif as his nominee expressing determination to work with him for the progress and prosperity of the country. Shehbaz successfully led a versatile coalition for about 16 months and the complete trust demonstrated by Mr. Zardari could mean continuity and strength of the new coalition despite challenges being thrown by the PTI’s new face of Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), which has declared its intention to rock the system at all costs. Industrialists and businessmen have also pinned great hopes on the change in Islamabad because of the track record of Shehbaz Sharif as a business friendly leader. It is hoped that the new Prime Minister will not disappoint them as he has already announced plans to launch a new economic plan on the occasion of the forthcoming federal budget. However, dreams about growth and economic development would remain a mirage if practical steps were not taken to resolve core problems of the business community including continuous increase in electricity and gas tariffs as well as imposition of unjust taxes. With this in view, the pledge of the Prime Minister on reducing the level of taxation and focus on generation of electricity through alternative resources is a step in the right direction. As for our friends, it was not without reason that the Chinese leadership was the first one to congratulate Shehbaz on his election as Prime Minister of Pakistan as Sino-Pak friendship scaled new heights during tenures of PML(N). In their separate messages, the Chinese President and the Prime Minister expressed confidence that under the leadership of Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan would be able to make new and greater achievements in the cause of national development and progress. China has been extending valuable assistance to Pakistan as highlighted by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and monetary support to bailout the country and hopefully this cooperation would expand during the era of Shehbaz Sharif. Similarly, the Turkish leadership always praised Shehbaz because of the hard work done by him to consolidate ties with Ankara both as Chief Minister of Punjab and Prime Minister of Pakistan. It was in this backdrop that President Erdogan telephoned Shehbaz to express unwavering confidence in his capabilities to guide Pakistan towards a trajectory of progress and prosperity. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation across various sectors, pledging to foster greater collaboration between Pakistan and Turkiye. In his message, Iranian President Seyed Ebrahim Raisi expressed his confidence that the two countries, in the light of the deep historical and cultural links, will work harder to strengthen and expand cooperation to achieve the desired and befitting level of relations between the two great nations of Iran and Pakistan. These messages of congratulation and support should serve as an eye-opener for those who are trying to pollute the environment by their disproportionate reaction to the outcome of the general elections. The critics have gone to the extent of inviting foreign powers to interfere in the internal affairs of Pakistan and urging the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to choke funds for the country. We are, however, confident that with the active support of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the new Government would succeed in implementing its economic agenda and attracting necessary investment from friendly countries.
