PM advises workers against homecoming celebrations

Asks people to remember terrorism victims and their families during Eid

LONDON: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif poured cold water on plans for a massive celebration upon his homecoming following open heart surgery in the UK, advising ruling party workers against doing so.



At the same time, PM Nawaz expressed gratitude for the love, affection and devotion of his party workers. In a message to the party workers from London, where he underwent a cardiac surgery on May 31, the prime minister said he was appreciative of the overwhelming outpouring of love and regard for him and was grateful to them for expressing solidarity with him.

PM Nawaz noted the love of his workers during his cardiac surgery and said it was due to their sincere prayers and the blessing of the Allah Almighty that his surgery was a success and he was recuperating fast. "I treat the love of the people of Pakistan for me and my party - Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) - as an asset and it is a strong source of strength for me," he said.



The PM said that as soon as his doctors permitted, he would return home and join his party workers. "Together, we will work shoulder to shoulder for the progress, prosperity and development of the country and take it forward," he said in his message.

Nawaz appealed to his party workers and leaders that while he sincerely acknowledged their sentiments and emotions, they should postpone their grand welcome celebrations for him.

He said the holy month of Ramazan was nearing end and the Eid celebrations were around the corner. He asked them to prepare for the great Eid festival while keeping in view their religious and social customs and norms.



The PM said the recent incidents of terrorism were a cause of concern and grief for the entire nation. He asked the people to remember the martyrs and their families during the Eid celebrations.

The prime minister again expressed his gratitude to the men, women, children and elders of the nation who have a deep love for him and regularly remember him in their prayers.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 1^st, 2016.