KARACHI:
The main opposition party’s chief, Nawaz Sharif, held his ground on Thursday, insisting he would not go to “jail or Jeddah” and those trying to make him do so should “stop dreaming”.
“I assure them, I will not go to any of these places. I request them to give up,” said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief, while addressing the media at the residence of former Sindh chief minister Liaquat Ali Jatoi.
Earlier in the day, Nawaz had also referred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) cases reopened against him. “You all know who was instrumental in opening the cases against us,” he said without disclosing any names.
Nawaz added that the Sindh card being used by President Asif Ali Zardari is losing its credibility and urged him to avoid underestimating any political party.
“People will prove in the next elections who the true representative of this country is. I assure you that the PML-N is now emerging as a big political force in the country,” he said.
When asked about possible allies of his government if the PML-N came into power, he said: “Please do not ask me about the [Muttahida Qaumi Movement]; we will decide at the time who is a better ally to make a government”.
Meanwhile, talking to reporters at the Karachi airport, the PML-N chief vowed to bring economic revolution in the country – if given the chance to come into power. Nawaz said that following the “atomic blast” in his last tenure, his party’s next government would carry out an “economic blast”.
He further said that the government had put Sindh under the influence of “opportunist” landlords. “Look at the infrastructure of Sindh; it has collapsed. I have come to promise to make Sindh a strong province, at par with Punjab where the writ of the law prevails,” he said.
Nawaz criticised coalition partners of the government and held them responsible for the worsening law and order in Karachi. “If they were politically mature they would focus on public issues, but unfortunately they are minting the public wealth,” he said.
The PML-N chief ruled out any chances of the army taking over, and criticized sections of the media for creating hype and initiating a campaign to appease “some quarters”.
“These anchor persons are acting on someone’s agenda by receiving money and initiating propaganda rather than highlighting genuine issues,” he said. Nawaz also recited a poem of Sufi saint Shah Latif Bhittai and prayed for the people of Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 20th, 2012.
COMMENTS (29)
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@Majid Urrehman: yes we really dont. somalia does.
Wasnt there an economic blast alongside the atomic blast when NS was in power? Do we really need another one?
@roadkashehzada: You are so funny man. Its preposterous that you are actually even comparing the two (cancer hospital vs.... a road!). Roads don't save lives. Nor do they impart education. And FYI, IK's 2 projects were built entirely using charity money, not from funds forced out of people while in power.
@3footninja: there are 15000 teachers and around 1500 small and large education institutions in Mianwali district. imran khan has benefited from the two institutes more than anybody in form of fame. he has used them as political stunt. they were built by people money, now u ll say motorway was also built by peope money, but u r comparing a 330 kms 6 lane highway with a hospital and one campus uni. r they comparable at the scale of projects???
@Ali: tell me a single foreign currency account holder whose money was not return. or tell me single common person, the shopkeeper, the salaries people, small businessmen, who have foreign currency accounts even today, if they have its few hundred dollars. without defending the wrong move and saying NS infallible, foreign currency accounts prob was not masses prob
@ Majid
Yes you are right we deserve something better for sure :)
Mian sab must be Eyeing UK this time because business of his son is going very well...anyways he spends more time outside the country than inside...
@Majid Urrehman: Please speak for yourself!!
Those who speaking their mind about Rwanda or Somalia which is is their sub conscience, if iK ever come close to power not in power, this what he will turn Pakistan into it, The innocent young nice of Pakistanis Should open their mind to see other possibilities also, it can not be that you are only right, there are other ways too. Don't be smart but don't be fool please, realize before the damage is inflected by iK. He will make you fight to lose, love you all.
Nawaz history shows that he will deliver next time also to Pakistan like he did in his last two incomplete terms. Innocent young of Pakistan will realizing only after losing.
The greater survivor instead of a leader who run away from the country at the time of need.
We - the Pakistani nation is not worthy of you but May Allah give you strength Mian sb.
" I assure you that the PML-N is now emerging as a big political farce in the country," PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif.
@roadkashehzada: You forgot to mention two of his biggest recent achievements: 1. Laptop scheme 2. Yellow cab scheme ... doesn't even come close to building a puny little cancer hospital and a silly university in a remote area. Heck, who needs health and education when you got laptops and yellow cabs!
i think this time direct London or USA
He is right. No Jeddah for him. this time it will be Park Lane, London.
Who believes in NS comedy?
@Saddruddin Mitha: Or Somalia!
Admitting indirectly deal with the authorities issuing sentences??
@roadkashehzada: And he is the only P.M seized foreign currency accounts because due to his policies and governance there were no reserve in the treasury.
@Salman: by completing motorway projects, by linking gawadar port, by making new dams like ghazi brotha, by privatising national corporations like he did for banks. he has strong credentials. economy explosion is much more possible by NS than magic stick promises of IK
you always get a good comedy show with miandad sahib. Exactly how is this economic explosion going to happened? Details would be useful.
Sir, How about a visit to Rawanda for only 10 years as a change ?
Does this guy know what happened to Benazir, Jail or Jeddah are not 2 options for power hungry politicians. I wish you him good luck.
Once a coward is always a coward. Leaders don't leave their supporters in midst of hard time and go on agreement to protect themselves. If you would have resisted at that time then the situation would be different.
No, No, I m allergic 2 jail, so I prefer JEDDHA. . . LOL!!!!
Fooling again. . . ????
You will be the first to run.