Islamabad: As the current government of Pakistan completes its constitutional five-year tenure at midnight on Thursday (May 31), the country is all set to hold the general elections on July 25, 2018, to elect new members of the 15th National Assembly.
National Assembly dissolves at midnight on May 31 as the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government will transfer its powers to a caretaker set-up that will ensure free and fair elections on 25th of July this year. Former chief justice of Pakistan Nasirul Mulk has been announced as the caretaker Prime Minister.
The five-year term of the Punjab and Balochistan Assembly is also winding up tonight following the dissolution of Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s provincial assemblies on Monday.
The outgoing Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Thursday stressed the issues faced by Pakistan can only be resolved by a democratically-elected government.
Addressing the last National Assembly session, the premier asserted, “The need of democracy and Pakistan today is free and fair elections.” He added that “a big part in ensuring transparent elections is the freedom of media.”
During the farewell session, legislators shared their respective performances during the five-year term.
Highlighting the achievements of his government, PM Abbasi said, “Despite internal and external challenges, economic growth was recorded and Pakistan’s security situation improved considerably since 2013.”
The GDP growth rate increased to 5.79 per cent from 3.68 per cent in 2013 and the landmark China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) now worth $62 billion (Dh228 billion) was also launched during the PML-N government.
During its five-year tenure, the PML-N government also launched mega projects worth billions of rupees such as Lahore and Multan Metro Bus, Orange Line Train, and various infrastructure projects to uplift cities of Punjab, particularly Lahore.
In energy sector, the PML-N government claims to have overcome the challenge of power shortage by adding 11,461 megawatt of electricity to the national grid. Contrary to government claims, Pakistan’s urban and rural areas continue to face power outages for several hours a day in the scorching summer.
PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif termed it a historic day as Pakistan’s democratic government sets to complete its tenure for the second consecutive time in a history of 70 years.
A contingent of Pakistan Armed Forces will present a salute to the prime minister as he departs from his office later today.
