Rivals trying to seize, sabotage country’s progress: PM Nawaz

We are not threatened by protesters in Islamabad, PM says as he announces uplift projects for Kasur

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Saturday that the ruling PML-N government will remain undeterred to protests being launched in Islamabad.

“Rallies are being taken out [in the federal capital] but we are not threatened by them and will not surrender [to their demands],” he said while addressing a massive gathering in Phoolnagar, Kasur.

“Our rivals are trying to seize and sabotage the process of development in the country,” the premier added.



The development comes at a time when the government is under pressure to conduct a thorough probe of Panama Papers leaks naming three of the prime minister’s children among several world leaders.

PM Nawaz announced an uplift package of Rs1 billion for gas supply projects and another Rs1 billion for schools, hospitals, bridges and clean drinking water in NA-142 constituency of Kasur, Radio Pakistan reported.

Similarly, he announced Rs500 million for gas supply and another Rs500 million for schools, hospitals, and clean drinking water, and Rs300 million for Lift Irrigation Scheme in NA-141.

The premier announced to build a highway to link Phoolnagar with motorway and a technical college for youths of the area.



“Those who were rejected by the people in the 2013 general elections will again be rejected in 2018,” Nawaz said, adding, “We will complete our term and then we will be reelected for five years.”

PM Sharif has said the PML-N govt will complete its constitutional term, nd will also win the next elections on the basis of its performance pic.twitter.com/ah1yGkh7Ch

— PMLN (@pmln_org) October 29, 2016

The premier went on to say that those holding the sit-in are insulting the mandate of the masses, saying he stood by his promises made to them.

PM Nawaz said that his rivals make a lot of effort for months to hold such a mammoth gathering, in apparent reference to the Imran Khan-led PTI.

The PTI chairman has been intensively holding rallies and addressing corner meetings in the build-up to his call for mass protest on November 2 against the alleged corruption of the rulers exposed by the Panamagate scandal.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Says previous govt did not launch the projects being implemented by the current PML-N govt. pic.twitter.com/j2aOVqoxr4

— PMLN (@pmln_org) October 29, 2016

Arrests of PTI workers

Meanwhile, PTI chairman Imran Khan said his workers were being arrested and food supplies to them stopped ahead of the planned protest.

"What kind of a democratic government is this that is impeding food supplies to the workers and arresting them," he questioned while criticising the authorities, IG police and judiciary.

The PTI leader asked if the judiciary is serving the powerful people when the workers of party were being beaten, arrested and harassed.

“Islamabad High Court (IHC) had asked the authorities to not restrain our peaceful protest. Instead, the government is flouting the order by putting containers in our routes but no action is being taken against them,” he added.