Islamabad lockdown: Shahbaz lashes out at PTI chief

Says SC should summon those accusing premier of corruption

LAHORE: The decision of the head of a political party to shut down and paralyse life in Islamabad is aimed to derail the development and prosperity of the country, said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday.

He was addressing the PML-N provincial council after being elected as its president.

Shahbaz slammed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan on his plan to shut Islamabad on October 30.

He alleged a PTI leader had written off loan worth millions for himself while another was involved in land grabbing in Lahore.

He said the PTI and PML-Q should refrain from criticising the projects initiated for the welfare of the people.

Shahbaz also urged the Supreme Court to summon those who were accusing the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and him of corruption. He said if found guilty, they should be taken to task otherwise accusers should quit the politics forever.

Intra-party elections

Shahbaz was elected unopposed as the president of PML-N in the intra-party provincial elections.

PML-N’s Punjab Chief Election Commissioner Manshaullah Butt announced the results after the council meeting on Wednesday. Another candidate Shaukat Ali had withdrawn his papers and Shahbaz was elected unopposed.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19^th, 2016.