ISLAMABAD : Jan 11, 2023: Prime minister, Shahbaz Sharif, has said the world trusted Pakistan and announced pledges of $ 9.7 billion for rehabilitation of flood affectees . Addressing a press conference here along with other Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) leaders including Foreign minister, Balawal Bhutto, Finance minister , Ishaq Dar, Asad Moahmood, Federal Food minster , Tariq Bashir Cheema and Federal minister for Climate Change , Sheri Rehman , prime minister Shahbaz Sharif thanked UN secretary general Antonio Gutress, for making it possible to feel the world impact of deadly floods of 2022 and generate much needed funds for rehabilitation of the affectees.
Prime minister said “ Pakistani people and government are thankful to UN secretary general for his great help to Pakistan in creating awareness among the world community about deadly floods of Pakistan which left 3.7 million Pakistanis shelter less and damaged Pakistan’s infrastructure of billions of dollar worth.
Responding to valley of questions asked by the journalists at the press conference, Mr Shahbaz Sharif said pledges of billions of dollars speak of level of trust that the world community posed in Pakistan government . He said the government is working out a foolproof strategy for transparent and effective use of pledges money to ensure that each affectee gets his share and becomes an active citizen of Pakistan to play a role in progress of Pakistan . He said “ With unprecedented pledges of the world donors and development partners the propaganda of default of Pakistan has buried for ever”. He said former prime minister , Imran Khan, was lying to the nations on issues of national interest which was deploring. He said the government will ensure 100 percent transparency in utilization of the pledges money for rehabilitation of flood affectees.
Shahbaz Sharif said atta crisis was an outcome of poor working of he provinces. He urged upon the provincial government to address atta issue forthwith to avoid more pain and anxiety to the general public. He claimed that Pakistan was having required stocks of wheat to ensure atta supply to every Pakistani household.
In response to a question, Finance minister, Ishaq Dar, said some elements were misleading the public on the issue of bank deposits . He categorically denied that the government has any plan to seize banks money. Mr Dar said “ A mafia type political party is creating rumours about seizing commercial money for public use which was nothing but a panic creating tactic”.
He told a questioner that the government was intending to impose flood tax on those sectors which were making windfall profit but it has nothing to do with a common tax payer. He termed increase in gas rates inevitable to address the issue of circular debt of gas sector.
Foreign minister , Balawal Bhutto, said Pakistan faced a doom day like situation last year and was making all out arrangements to avoid the similar situation again.