‘Thanks to the PML-N and the people of Pakistan’

Nawaz said he considered himself, his party, the nation fortunate for having played their part in democratic struggle.

ISLAMABAD:

Incoming Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday hailed the people of Pakistan for their role in achieving a peaceful transition of power from one democratic government to another.

Speaking to the media at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad, the chief of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz – the winner of the May 11 general elections – particularly credited the peaceful transition of power to his party.

“The democratic transition was possible due to my party’s contributions to democracy and the nation’s struggle for a parliamentary system,” said Nawaz.

The two-time former prime minister was in Islamabad on Saturday to take oath as a Member of the National Assembly. He praised the nation and its people for turning out in large numbers to vote and for playing their role to strengthen democracy.

“The people of this country played a pivotal role on May 11 in the transition of power through a peaceful and democratic manner.



“I pray for the peaceful transition of [all] governments. Governments should come and go in a civilised manner and this peaceful transition shows the civilised attitude of the public,” Nawaz claimed.

Nawaz said he considered himself, his party and the nation fortunate for having played their part in the democratic struggle for the betterment of the country.

“I must laud the nation for its role on May 11. This is what shows the maturity of a nation.”

In the end, the premier-elect thanked the people for electing the PML-N to run the country for the next five years.

Meanwhile, PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said the new government will curtail government expenditure. “The size of the new cabinet will be even less than the prescribed size in the 18th Amendment,” Nisar added.

Abdul Qadir Baloch of the PML-N said his party was committed to ending the Balochistan crisis. “If this government fails to address the Balochistan issue then it will never be addressed.”

Speaking to the media contingent outside Parliament, Pakistan Peoples Party-Parliamentarians President Makhdoom Amin Fahim said his party will cooperate with the PML-N government at the Centre on national issues.

“PPP has good experience in running the governments as well as of sitting in the opposition and will play its democratic role,” Fahim maintained.

Awami Muslim League leader and newly elected MNA Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed warned PML-N that if it failed to deliver on its pledges like the PPP, it would meet the same fate in the next elections and suffer a crushing defeat.

He said, “It is my desire and efforts to see Imran Khan as the opposition leader in the National Assembly as he represents the real opposition groups.”

Another newly elected MNA, Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Dr Farooq Sattar said his party will sit in the opposition benches at the Centre and play an effective role as the opposition to highlight public issues.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Dr Shireen Mazari said it will play an effective role as the opposition in Parliament.


Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd, 2013.