ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that Asif Ali Zardari would be elected as next President of Pakistan as coalition partners had huge majority in the National Assembly, Senate and provincial assemblies.
Speaking at a dinner to honour leaders of allied parties, he said Asif Zardari would be the candidate of coalition parties in the presidential election slated to be held on March 9.
He went on to say the coalition government has grabbed two thirds of the votes in the recent general elections.
The prime minister asked to respect mandate of the people adding that the whole world is looking towards Pakistan.
He thanked leaders of allied parties and PML-N Quaid, Nawaz Sharif for electing him as the prime minister of Pakistan once again.
He noted that current gas and electricity circular debt of Pakistan had reached to Rs five trillion adding that the debt of PIA had hiked to Rs 825 billion, while the annual theft of electricity has touched to Rs 500 billion.
The PM said the figures showed the gravity of the current economic situation of Pakistan.
He added that the government refunded Rs 65 billion to the exporters, saying the tax base should be enhanced expanded while burden on those who were already paying taxes, should be decreased.
He said that Pakistan’s tax to GDP ratio was just 9.8 percent whereas this percentage is much higher in other countries of the world.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said state owned institutions were making losses of hundreds of billions of rupees.
In his remarks, co-chairperson of Pakistan Peoples Party Asif Ali Zardari said his party would support prime minister on the path of progress.
He said Pakistan could make economic advancement with growth in the agriculture sector.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said last time during his presidential tenure, his father Asif Zardari handed down up his powers in favour of the Parliament.
He was confident that Asif Zardari would be elected as the president for the second time.
