Sharifs only focused on their own well-being: CM Elahi

Punjab CM says Shehbaz remained chief minister for 15 years but did not carry out any sustainable welfare work

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Saturday said that the Sharif family, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, did not do any significant or commendable work for the welfare of the masses.

"Shehbaz Sharif remained chief minister for 15 years but could not do any durable or sustainable work for the welfare or progress of the people of the province," he said during his address at an event in connection with the international anti-corruption day.

Elahi highlighted that he made Rescue 1122 and other institutions which are serving the people to date. He said that Shehbaz made Ashiana scheme and was nabbed for it, adding that he did not feel ashamed even after going to Sharm-El-Sheikh and started begging even there.

"Shehbaz Sharif said that he did not come for begging but was doing so under compulsion. We were afraid he would ask for a return ticket as well," he taunted.

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The chief minister said that the Sharif family is ruling for the last 30 years but did not bother to even slightly think about the masses. "This family only thinks about its own well-being and fills up its own coffers. They claim that they did not indulge in corruption of even a single penny but even their own people disclose their wrongdoings," he added.

CM Elahi remarked that he remained with the Sharif family for 15 years and knows all of them. "Few people are planning to play tricks but our quaid (leader) Imran Khan has inculcated so much awareness among the people that no corrupt politician will survive in the political arena now," he said.

He said that whenever Sharif family goes abroad, people raise slogans of thieves whether they go to some restaurant for dining or to some store for shopping. "Neither can these people eat food nor can they do shopping with ease anymore."

Paying "tribute" to PTI followers, Elahi stated that they have found the "best solution" to death with the Sharif family.

"The war against corruption should be the cardinal part of our faith and if one has a strong faith then he cannot think about doing corruption and then the need for establishing anti-corruption institutions does not arise."

He maintained that the laws relating to anti-corruption have become obsolete and there is a need to review them. He assured that the Punjab government will provide full assistance in order to improve these laws. "Wherever a need arises legislation will be done and shortcomings will be overcome. If needed then consultation with the judiciary will also be made," he maintained.

The chief minister paid tributes to the performance of Provincial Adviser Brigadier (retd) Mussadiq Abbassi and his whole team, saying that the anti-corruption department retrieved Rs238 billion directly and indirectly and deposited them in the national exchequer which manifest their dedication and an excellent strategy.

The chief minister announced an increase in salaries of the officials of the anti-corruption department. CM Elahi distributed commendation certificates among the officers and staff members of the anti-corruption department for showing exemplary performance.