Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has ruled out any possibility of joining the proposed national government for which both PPP and PML-Q are trying. Mohammad Pervaiz Malik of PML-N told Business Recorder here on Wednesday that the PML-N has also been approached to join the proposed government set-up but, keeping in view PPP leaders' past track record, PML-N does not trust PPP leaders.
"However, if the incumbent government comes up with a national agenda to strengthen the internal security, to bring economic stability and to provide relief to the masses, we will support the government while sitting in the opposition," he said. Reacting to reports of PML-Q's readiness to join the PPP-led government, he said that alliances are always made on the basis of ideology. "The PML-Q is joining the government for petty gains, based on convenience that would prove 'political suicide' for it," he said.
He recalled that the PML-N had also joined the PPP coalition government in 2008 but had to leave it soon as PPP leadership failed to fulfil its promises. The PPP government is showing non-serious attitude on important national and international issues and is not ready to mend its ways, he said, and added that Nawaz Sharif had already given national agenda for the national consensus, co-operation and cohesion.
He said: "We want resolution of public issues and putting the country on the path of progress and prosperity." Expressing serious concerns over present state of country's economy, Pervaiz said that the government would have to take difficult decisions to stabilise the economy.
He asked the government to diversify its exportable products and explore non-traditional markets to boost the country's exports. Apart from China, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, with whom Free Trade Agreements have been signed, Pakistan needs to explore other regions like South America, Africa and Asia to exploit untapped export potential in these countries, he said.
According to him, Pakistan has narrow export base, consisting hardly of 1,250 products as against the trading of over 5,000 products in the international market. Regarding recent visit of Punjab Chief Minister to China, he said the visit was very successful as various agreements were made for co-operation in energy, transport and other sectors. He said that China has achieved the pinnacle of progress through hard work, dedication and austerity, which led it to the second largest economy of the world.
He said that agreements regarding 120 megawatt hydel power project at Taunsa Barrage, 50 megawatt solar power plant and Lahore Mass Transit System are significant and work on Taunsa barrage hydel power and Lahore Mass Transit Projects will be started this year.