Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his gratitude to lawmakers for electing him as the premier during his farewell speech in the National Assembly on Wednesday. He began his speech by recalling that he was elected as the Prime Minister on April 11 and thanked lawmakers from both sides of the aisle for showing confidence in him.
During his 16-month-long brief tenure, the Prime Minister acknowledged that his government faced several challenges and difficulties. He highlighted that they had to bear the burden of the previous government’s failures and negligence. However, he emphasized that his government did not send any political rivals to jail or treat them unfairly. He stated that it was never their practice to engage in such actions.
The outgoing Prime Minister also expressed his disapproval of the celebration of any political rival’s punishment, stating that it is not a good tradition. He specifically mentioned the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, stating that they were not happy about it and condemned the distribution of sweets to celebrate the punishment.
Additionally, the Prime Minister condemned the events that took place on May 9, when protests erupted across the country following Imran’s arrest from the Islamabad High Court premises in a graft case. He referred to this day as a “black day” and paid tribute to the armed forces and soldiers for their sacrifices. He also acknowledged the sacrifices made in the fight against terrorism, with thousands of Pakistanis losing their lives. He mentioned that the world recognizes these sacrifices and always praises them.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked the National Assembly for the opportunity to serve as the country’s leader and expressed his hope for a prosperous future for Pakistan.