Nawaz claims credit for govt’s tenure completion

Former minister Khwaja Hoti joins after leaving PTI.

MARDAN:


With the current civilian government set to achieve the rare feat of completing a tenure, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief has highlighted his party’s constructive contribution in allowing the incumbents to get to the finish line.


However, that said and done, Nawaz Sharif told a press conference in Mardan, the time had now come to elect “an honest representative” in the upcoming elections. The former prime minister then launched into election campaign mode.

He said that the PML-N had laid a strong foundation of positive and principled politics, which they never mixed with personal interests.

The PML-N chief also said that, if voted into power, his party would build a new, developed and prosperous Pakistan. He further vowed to make Pakistan a leading Islamic country with a fast growing economy unlike, he added, the present government.

Nawaz said that he had proposed to countries of the Economic Cooperation Organisation to link Pakistan with Central Asian States through motorways.

He also spoke about the recently renewed debate over the Kalabagh Dam, saying, “A complete agreement among the nation is needed to go ahead with Kalabagh Dam project.”




Lashing out at the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government, the PML-N chief said that not a single ruler was concerned about the law and order situation across the country, such as the security situation in Balochistan and target killings in Karachi.

“Had our elected government not been overthrown in 1999 by [former president Pervez] Musharraf, Pakistan would have achieved tremendous economic progress,” he said.

Nawaz also accused Musharraf of acting against the Constitution. “How could this country develop if non-democratic elements ambush governments within two years of its election,” he said.

The PML-N chief also lamented Pakistan’s standing in the international community, saying “It is ranked 7th among the corrupt countries of the world and people from around the world avoid coming here.”

Meanwhile, former minister Khawaja Mohammad Khan Hoti announced that he was joining the PML-N during the press conference.

The former minister had earlier joined the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) after quitting the Awami National Party (ANP).

He has formerly served as minister for anti-narcotics, PPP Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa president, vice-president of the PTI and president of the Pakistan Qaumi Mahaz Group.

(With additional input from Agencies)

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4th, 2012.
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