Govt to act per ECP's decision on holding polls: PM.

ISLAMABAD -- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said the federal government was committed to fulfill its constitutional obligation of holding election and would act as per the decision of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

'No one should have a doubt on us regarding evading the elections. We will whole-heartedly participate in election and will follow whatever decided by ECP,' he told a delegation of Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) here at the PM House.

Shehbaz Sharif said it was up to the ECP to decide over the matter, however, as president of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), he had directed his party to finalize names of ticket-holders.

He said the government was cognizant of the fact that timely election led to a stronger State and its progress.

In the same context, he mentioned that the government had initiated work on census and the funds had been released despite financial constraints.

The prime minister said the country was passing through political and economic challenges, however said that all political parties of the Pakistan Democratic Alliance (PDM) coalition contributed positively towards improvement in situation.

During 11 months of the tenure, he said, the government successfully overcame the shadows of default.

He regretted that the previous government stepped back from the agreement inked with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

He said it was not a private but a State deal, and the non-implementation of which resulted in big loss of the country.

He expressed confidence that a staff-level agreement with the IMF would be struck soon.

He dismissed the impression that IMF talked about political instability in the country.

Shehbaz Sharif recalled that friendly countries including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and China extended support to Pakistan in trying times.

To control inflation, he said the government was committed to ensuring austerity and providing relief to poor especially during Ramazan.

The prime minister pointed out the 'naked defiance' of former prime minister Imran Khan and making fun of the State institutions by his no-show in courts.

'First time in Pakistan, a so-called political person is considering himself above law ... Non-appearance in...

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