Political norms: Shahbaz sees no reason for agitation

CM says decisions should be made at parliament and not in the streets

LAHORE: “The government believes in the politics of service and values. Pointless agitation has caused huge losses to the country,” Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Saturday.

“There is no justification for it [demonstrations] at a time when Pakistan is making progress,” the chief minister told a delegation of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz that called on him.

Sharif said people recognised those working for their welfare and those creating hurdles to the country’s development. “Those agitating have no [positive] aims. They are bent upon wasting the nation’s time,” he said. He said that in a democratic setup, decisions were made at the parliament and not in the streets.

“The people of Pakistan have rejected the policies of those taking out rallies by voting against them.”

Sharif said those engaged in negative politics were scared of the PML-N’s popularity. He said the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, was committed to public service. He said mere sloganeering and staging demonstrations could not get one popular support.

The chief minister said that instead of benefitting people, the agitation would only add to their problems. “The government is determined to bring about prosperity. Pakistan will continue to move ahead.”

Pakistan-US ties

Newly appointed US Consul General Yuriy Fedkiw called on Sharif. The chief minister welcomed him and wished him well in his endeavours.

Sharif said the government was committed to making Pakistan a welfare state in accordance with the vision of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He said all Pakistani citizens had equal rights. He said the nation was on one page against terrorism. “Building a society based on restraint, tolerance and harmony is our mission,” he said.

The chief minister said armed forces and the people of Pakistan had rendered unprecedented sacrifices in the country’s war against terrorism.

He said that despite facing difficult circumstances, Pakistan Army had been fighting terrorists successfully.

Fedkiw said the US attached great importance to its relations with Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 4^th, 2016.