Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared on Tuesday that he will auction off all Toshakhana presents he received during his term in office, with the money benefiting orphan children.
The news occurred just hours before Sharif signed the summary of the National Assembly’s dissolution. He made the remark while meeting with representatives from the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), and Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA).
“I declare that all gifts worth millions or rupees will be auctioned off at Toshakhana.” However, the entire sum will go to orphan child organizations, whether they be welfare organizations, educational institutions, or medical facilities. “We will hand them over as part of a mechanism to help orphans who are unable to face life’s challenges,” the premier stated.
According to Sharif, the incumbent administration inherited extraordinarily difficult economic conditions, however, the coalition parties underestimated the severity of the problem. He claimed that the previous administration squandered the last four years by victimising political opponents and straining connections with friendly countries.
The prime minister stated that his government had done everything possible to repair relations with friendly countries and had been able to limit the damage that led to the signing of the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
He constantly urged the nation, particularly the youth, to unite and work hard to pay off the country’s debts and “make Pakistan a great nation.” He also stated that they did not target any political opponents and that his government was tremendously busy dealing with floods, inflation, economic, IMF, wheat import, and foreign policy difficulties.
The country was saved from default by the IMF agreement, according to the prime minister, and the situation might have been exceedingly difficult, with huge lines at gas stations and people brought to the streets.
He claimed that even friendly countries have connected their support to the IMF agreement.
He underlined that the interim and next elected governments would have to work together to strengthen the state and its people via self-sufficiency, as the IMF had closed the door to subsidies.
PM Shehbaz said he will submit the president a report for the dissolution of the National Assembly on Wednesday and expressed hope that the future government would pursue the SIFC objective of getting the country out of debt in 5-10 years.
Following the dissolution of the National Assembly, the chief election commissioner would be the appropriate office to determine the next steps in the election process.