Nawaz unfazed by PTI’s Raiwind march threat

PM scoffs at Imran’s rally in Karachi for ‘low turnout’

CHITRAL: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is unperturbed by Imran Khan’s threat of leading a ‘sea of supporters’ to Raiwind on September 24. Instead he believes Imran is losing whatever support he has due to his politics of agitation and recrimination. “Yesterday, our rivals received a [disappointing] response from people in Karachi,” the premier said while referring to the ‘low turnout’ at Tuesday’s rally of PTI in the metropolis.

“I don’t need to respond to those making wild allegations against me and my family,” Nawaz told a gathering at Polo Ground in Chitral Wednesday morning. “I don’t even take notice of such allegations. I can only pray that God guides them,” he said as the audience burst out laughing. “Why are you laughing?” he asked and went on to add. “Praying for guidance is a good thing... I hope God guides them to work with us for Pakistan’s progress.”



Imran has been leading a chorus calling for Premier Nawaz’s accountability since the Panama Papers revealed in April this year that three scions of the ruling family are among hundreds of Pakistani politicians and businessmen who have secreted their money in offshore tax havens.

At the same time, Nawaz’s administration is facing another challenge from populist cleric Allama Tahirul Qadri who is leading a movement for accountability and retribution against the Sharif brothers for the 2014 killing of his 14 supporters in a police crackdown at the headquarters of his party in Lahore’s Model Town.



“People are the best judge. They don’t heed their calls for agitation,” the prime minister said in his brief address. He travelled to Chitral to announce a slew of development projects, and to oversee progress on the Lowari Tunnel project, which is being built with financial assistance from the federal government.

“We do not believe in politics of hostilities and recrimination. We believe politics means serving people and addressing their problems,” Nawaz said. “The slur campaign of our rivals cannot dent our resolve to lead the country on the road to economic progress and prosperity.”

He advised all political parties to work in tandem for the country’s development. “We hold no grudge against anyone. We believe in working together,” he said. “If the PML-N had any malice, it would not have allowed others (read: PTI) to form a government in K-P after the 2013 elections.

“We gave them a chance [to form a government], and now we are determined to help them in serving the people of K-P,” he said and lamented that ‘some elements’ were running a smear campaign against him and his government.



Premier Nawaz said he frequently travelled to Chitral to oversee development projects in the regions because he had great affinity for Chitralis. “For me, Chitral is no less important than Lahore, Karachi or any other city. And I want this area to be developed at par with the rest of the country.”

On the occasion, the prime minister announced establishment of a university and a 250-bed hospital in the mountainous district, which remains cut off from the rest of the country in winter.

The prime minister assured the audience that Lowari Tunnel, which has been under construction for the last 55 years, would be completed next year. The government has already spent Rs10 billion on the project which is being constructed at a cost of Rs27 billion.

During his daylong trip, Nawaz laid foundation stones of several development projects in Chitral city and its surrounding areas. He also attended a briefing regarding rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in the earthquake affected areas of Chitral.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 8^th, 2016.