National consensus needed on new provinces: PM

Truculent premier flays opposition

Why did votaries of more provinces fail to do so while in office, a truculent Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said on Saturday.

The premier made the remarks while inaugurating the Multan-Shujabad section of the M-5 Motorway. Addressing those present on the occasion, a combative Abbasi said the people would deliver their verdict in July.

Taking a jibe at the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the premier said the party was only engaged in taking potshots at people. The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, on the other hand, serves the people, he said.



The PM said establishing new provinces could only be done after bringing about a national consensus. Dialogue should be held over many issues including the establishment of new provinces, he said.

Abbasi said those party to politics of deception would fail to dupe the people. "Only a representative government elected by the people will be capable of overcoming challenges confronting the nation," he said.

The premier said the PML-N had ascended to power after 14 years after receiving an emphatic mandate. The government, he said, had completed projects in limbo for years.



Taking a swipe at Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Abbasi said the preceding regime had failed to install a single power plant in their tenure. The PM said former president Pervez Musharraf's government had fared no better on this account.