Party meeting: Nawaz energised by pressure on government

PML-N heap criticism on current administration; vow to stand up for the masses.


Qamar Zaman October 04, 2011

ISLAMABAD:


The plan for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), it seems, is to capitalise on anti-government sentiments as load-shedding protests break out in cities across the country.


The decision, according to sources, was taken during the PML-N’s central working committee’s (CWC) meeting, chaired by party president Nawaz Sharif.

Khawaja Muhammad Asif briefed the CWC on power shortages and the government’s response to the issue. He said that the government could easily generate around 4000 megawatts from available resources but were failing to do so.

He also told the committee that public sector enterprises, including Pakistan Steel Mills, Pakistan International Airlines, and Pakistan Railways, have caused losses in excess of  Rs1000 billion to the national exchequer.

“Instead of taking steps to address the problem, the government has compounded the issue,” said Asif while addressing the National Assembly in the evening. He also urged the government “to stop electricity supply to those who are not paying their bills”.

The CWC has set up a special committee headed by Khawja Saad Rafiq to coordinate and spearhead public rallies in accordance with party policies. According to sources, the PML-N leadership has asked members spearheading public rallies in their native towns to continue to lodge protests during the NA session.

Sources said that Nawaz Sharif was of the view that the PML-N would further streamline its strategy in light of decisions taken by the government. Addressing the CWC meeting, Nawaz demanded the government improve its performance, eliminate corruption from national institutions and improve the law and order situation.

While referring to the recently held All Parties Conference (APC) on national security, Sharif said that the absence of leaders from Balochistan was alarming. He also said the country was facing multiple crises and has never previously experienced such isolation in the international community. He pinned the blame for this on the government.

He said the government did not take other political parties into confidence over important issues and the non-implementation of unanimous resolutions was an insult to parliament.

Later, talking to the media at Parliament House after attending the parliamentary party meeting, Nawaz said that people would no longer tolerate the incumbent government’s policies. He said his emotions are with the people of this country, adding that his party workers will also join the masses in their protest. He also criticised the government for not resolving the 700MW energy shortfall.

Later, leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Khawaja Muhammad Asif expressed their political views through fiery speeches and a walk-out from the house.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 4th, 2011.

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