Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) President Abdul Aleem Khan on Wednesday stressed the need for fostering the country’s economy.

Speaking to media, flanked by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahsan Iqbal and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Naveed Qamar, Aleem Khan said: “We will play our role in the new government with honesty.”

“The poor people are facing severe hardships. There is a dire need to uplift the country’s economy. The next government should have to show mercy to the people.” he added.

"We will support the candidates for the slots of prime minister, speaker, and deputy speaker," he said.

Meanwhile, PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal resolved to end inflation and unemployment in the country. “We will overcome the challenges by joining hands together,” he added.

The former planning minister said: “The next government will play its role to stabilise the country’s economy.”

Moreover, PPP leader Naveed Qamar emphasised the need for reconciliation. “We will vote for the speaker, deputy speaker, senate chairman, and deputy chairman,” he added.

– Shehbaz Sharif best choice for PM slot –

PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday that Shehbaz Sharif is the best choice for the prime minister slot.

Addressing the parliamentary meeting in Islamabad, the three-time premier said: “Hopefully the country will be out of the quagmire within two years. We got to stand united in the difficult times.”

Nawaz said: “Shehbaz Sharif has handled government affairs in a good way for the 16 months of his tenure. Today it is a big deal to steer the country out of the doldrums.”

Taking a swipe at the opponents, he said, “Those who brought him [Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder] into power are culprits.”

“If things had remained in the right direction, the country would have already made its name on the list of G20 countries,” he added.

He said; “The country would have become the region’s biggest power, if our momentum could continue.”

Nawaz added, “What sort of project did the [PTI] founder complete in the three years of his tenure? He did not harm me or the PML-N, but the entire country.”

Speaking about former chief justice Saqib Nisar, Nawaz said, “Where is Saqib Nasir nowadays, Who delivered the verdict against me?”

He questioned: “Is that judge able to face anybody today?”

“The whole nation is familiar with which of the judges have disqualified me,” he added.

Recalling the 2014 PTI protests, Nawaz said: “The Chinese president's visit to the country had been delayed due to the PTI protests.”