The Hon. M.K.M. Aslam

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, this is a time of a new administration and a new budget. Next, as we regularize the local authorities, we must pass the necessary laws to develop the country.

¶ 02 Let me ask: as the Opposition shouts, are there now any thefts, frauds, wastage, selective justice, or communal incitements by this Government? What serious crimes are occurring? What harmful acts has our Government done? It is very clear: the Opposition’s only aim is to obstruct the Government’s measures and journey. Because if they do not obstruct, they fear they will remain forever in Opposition — or even become a minor opposition. Based on that expectation, they pull at our feet and spread misinformation to create a negative image of the Government.

¶ 03 Today’s debate is the regulation under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act regarding electric vehicles. Why bring this? Who benefits — the country, the people, or someone else? Unlike past governments, we have not taken any decision that benefits ministers or MPs. And we will not.

¶ 04 As EV usage increases, revenue for the country must also increase. That revenue supports innocent citizens. So on one side we must increase revenue. From whom? From those who have income — businesses and the public who can pay — so we can extend relief to those who cannot.

¶ 05 We do not have time to recount the past government’s misdeeds. Until September 2024 we were not in Government; only since then have we governed. We have much to say about what we have achieved in that time.

¶ 06 What did we do first? From day one, we changed many policy areas. From the President’s oath onwards, we made a difference and went among the people. We saw that many grassroots needs were not addressed by local authorities. So we held local authority elections and won a valuable victory.

¶ 07 What next? While policies can be changed immediately, some in the Opposition ask what we have done in six months. Which Government carpets roads, builds school buildings, and concretes by-lanes in the first six months? First you prepare the Budget; that takes months. Then debate and pass it. Then call for proposals and go through procurement. So six, eight, nine months are needed before projects start. Within these months we completed these processes successfully. No Government they supported cleaned even a single village drain in its first six months.

¶ 08 Yet with the resources we had and our team’s effort, within four or five months we achieved victories in villages. We intend to create conditions to deliver wins to the people. We act with that aim even in vehicle imports. We do not bring laws for the personal needs of our ministers or MPs, nor do we repeal good laws. If our processes are people‑centred, the Opposition should help us. We will implement our work plan with the people. Those dreaming of tripping this Government will have to live in those dreams. We will rebuild this country with all the people. We do not listen to the Opposition’s shouting; we continue our journey. This victory will be a national victory. We are ready with everyone to uplift the country. Those who try to trip us will learn a lesson. In the next three or four months, we have the freedom to implement the 40–50 projects per electorate already in hand. After that, people will understand that only the NPP can carry out this clean development process without corruption. We will deliver victories to the people. Thank you for the opportunity.