LAHORE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said the negotiating committees of the government and Taliban are holding dialogue in an amicable manner and their members are not only in constant liaison with the media but also informing the nation on the issue.

Talking to reporters after addressing the FPCCI’s export awards distribution ceremony on Saturday, he claimed that economic indicators were improving and this would ultimately bring about progress and prosperity. “The growth rate is going up and revenue collection has improved substantially,” Mr Sharif added.

He said the government had thrashed out a policy for ensuring smooth supply of electricity and gas to industries.

Electricity supply to the industry, especially to Faisalabad’s power looms, had put an end to unrest among labourers, he noted.

The prime minister said the country could get optimum benefit from the European Union’s GSP-Plus (Generalized System of Preferences) status by keeping the wheels of industry moving.

Earlier in his address at the FPCCI function, Mr Sharif said grave issues like terrorism and economy must not be used for political mileage.

“The government is striving to tap all resources to overcome energy shortage,” he said.

The premier said he had told US leaders during his last visit that Pakistan should be provided trade opportunities instead of aid. He said the PML-N government had always encouraged the private sector, recalling the “unfortunate day” when a number of profit-earning institutions were nationalised just to “oblige cronies and workers”.

He said the rulers who had tarnished Pakistan’s image cannot escape by talking of state and non-state actors as the monster of terrorism had gotten stronger because of their ill-conceived policies.

Utter seriousness was needed to eliminate this years-old menace, he said, adding that the government was committed to improving law and order by weeding out terrorism.

Mr Sharif said his government had inherited a number of problems, including energy shortage, and soon after coming to power, it had to pay Rs500 billion circular debt to the power sector.

“We are using all avenues from where we can get electricity.

“The government is focusing on speedy completion of all energy projects, including the Gadani project, Diamer-Bhasha, Bunji and Dasu dams, civil nuclear power projects and the Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project,” he said.—APP