Sarwar said: "It is not possible to solve the manifold problems overnight. We have two options - either to solve the problems on temporary bases and bring the country towards disaster or face realities by accepting challenges with long-term strategy."
He said the PTI came into power with the legacy of internal and external borrowings and debts left by previous regimes. "Give this government some breathing space and time to deliver as even the party activists also keep an eye on our policies with critical angle and support us on principles," he urged.
Asked if the NAB chairman should appear before the parliament, Sarwar said he was appointed on the recommendations of both PML-N and PPP and the PTI believes that every institution is accountable before the parliament. "There is no issue if the chairman appears before the parliamentarians for questioning," the governor said.
To a query involving Imran Khan's sister Aleema Khan's accountability through forming a JIT, Sarwar said he believed in indiscriminate accountability for all and expected from all institutions concerned not to spare even the PTI.
He assured the audience that the federal as well as Punjab government would extend every possible cooperation and support to the pharmaceutical industry. He added that hepatitis has become the biggest challenge in the country as up to 20 percent citizens are suffering from the disease. A concentrated effort by a conglomeration of NGOs including Sarwar Foundation has begun with a target of conducting tests of 100,000 people, he said.
Sarwar said he is thankful to the pharmaceutical industry for pledging medicines worth 150 million for 5,000 inmates, policemen and others who are suffering from Hepatitis.
To a question about increase in prices of medicines, Sarwar said the government has initiated efforts to bring down the cost of production of medicines and other products in terms of regional and global competitiveness. "Unfortunately the fluctuation in US dollar rate has affected the prices of goods used in manufacturing medicines as raw material is usually imported. The government doesn't want to close down units," he told media.
Zahid Saeed, Chairman of Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (Centre), told reporters that Pakistani pharmaceutical industry is exporting medicines worth $300 million. "We are requesting the government to include pharma industry in the exports sector as the industry has capacity to become second after textiles in overall exports volume," he urged.
Saeed said regional bench marking has established that prices of Pakistani medicines stand average between prices in India and Bangladesh. About 15 percent increase in prices of medicines, he said 40 percent currency devaluation has enhanced cost of production of medicines but the government didn't increase prices in proportion to depreciation.