Showdown: ‘PML-N does not believe in politics of aggression’

Muqam says party could have formed govt in K-P, but respect public mandate

PESHAWAR: PML-N leader and PM’s adviser Amir Muqam has said Nawaz Sharif does not believe in politics of aggression and respects the public mandate. “Otherwise PML-N would have formed its own government in K-P,” he said.

He added almost all independent candidates and three major political parties were in contact with him and PML-N could easily have formed a government in the province.

However, the prime minister refused, saying the public mandate must be respected.

“We should let PTI form their own government in K-P as they have secured more votes than PML-N,” Muqam quoted PM Sharif as saying.

The adviser was speaking to journalists on Friday and alleged the PTI-led provincial government proposed the Customs Act, 1969 for Malakand Division, adding a summary was sent to the K-P governor which was then forwarded to the president.



“I wonder how anyone denies such things,” he said, adding that the PM, despite resistance from a few in the Cabinet, withdrew the customs act from Malakand.

While replying to a question, Muqam said provinces were initially allowed to generate just 50 megawatts of electricity, but could now churn out as much as 50,000 megawatts.

He also said there is no rule against generating power and provinces can sign agreements with other countries in this regard. “These are the excuses the PTI’s government comes up with as it has completely failed to fulfill people’s needs,” he said.

He added PML-N was committed not to be get involved in politics of aggression.

He said the province is completely isolated and the public is uncertain about its future. “Dharnas cannot improve the lifestyle of the public. They want development. People are fed up now and they want to see change,” Muqam said. He also added a gathering, scheduled for Sunday (today), is not meant to counter the PTI rally but to tell people what Imran Khan was doing.

Earlier on July 20, PTI Chairperson Imran Khan announced launching a nationwide, anti-corruption movement on August 7 from the provincial capital. On the other hand, PML-N has scheduled a show of power in the city on the same day. The adviser said they will be telling people about PTI’s three-year performance and people were already aware of the facts. He said the public had rejected ‘dharna politics’.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 7^th, 2016.