PM Nawaz Sharif showers money upon the champions

Lahore : Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Tuesday expressing his pleasure over Pakistan cricket team’s marvels during the ICC Champions Trophy, said due to the policies of PML-N government, Pakistan now enjoyed the status of a fast developing country among the comity of nations.

He said when the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) came to  power in 2013, the country was at the brink of default, with power shortage and terrorism plaguing the people.

But Pakistan embarked upon a journey of progress and prosperity with several development initiatives taken by his government, boosting its power, energy and infrastructure sectors,he added.

The prime minister was addressing a reception held here to  welcome the ICC Champions Trophy triumphant Pakistan cricket team. He assured that his government would continue patronage of sports in the country. Earlier, the Pakistan team led by skipper Sarfraz Ahmed were introduced to the prime minister.

The team was warmly received by ministers Marriyum Aurangzeb, Abid Sher Ali, Ahsan Iqbal, Ishaq Dar and Khawaja Muhammad Asif, advisor Irfan Siddiqui and others. Leader of the House in

Senate Raja Zafarul Haq, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, federal cabinet members and a number of parliamentarians were also present on the occasion.

The reception was attended by Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Sheheryar Khan, Executive Committee Chairman Najam Sethi, Chief Selector Inazam ul Haq and former national cricket stars.

The prime minister said the power sector was now witnessing an unprecedented boom with the establishment of new power plants.

Similarly, a vast network of roads and motorways was being laid, he said, mentioning the Lahore to Karachi motorway and  six-lane Hyderabad-Sukkar-Multan-Lahore motorway.

He said Gwadar and Khunjrab were also being linked through roads at a cost of about 1,000 billion rupees. The country’s growth rate was on the surge, which would soon touch the mark of 6 per cent, he added.

The prime minister said the backbone of terrorists had been broken and informed the gathering that he was told by the Azad Kashmir prime minister and the Gilgit Baltistan chief minister about the influx of visitors thronging the scenic valleys.

He said such a phenomenon was being observed during the last few months as the visitors were arriving Neelum and Leepa valleys and Khunjrab Pass. He said such prospects were also infusing new spirit into sports activities in the country.

The prime minister said Pakistan had its self respect and  advised Najam Sethi not to beg any foreign team to come and play here.  Expressing his confidence, he said time was not far off

when all the international cricket teams would line up to play  with Pakistan team at its homeland.

The prime minister recounted his childhood memories regarding  the cricket game and the tips which were given to him for improving his batting.

He said scarcity of playgrounds was the main issue, which were usually occupied by teams of grown-up people.

He assured that playgrounds with allied facilities would be constructed at all the union councils to offer facilities to the young budding players.