PPP should have shown sportsman spirit: PM
Nawaz appreciates PTI’s decision to participate in election.
“I’ll announce a special package for the development of Balochistan,” says PM Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: AFP/ FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Deploring Pakistan Peoples Party’s decision to boycott the presidential elections, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Friday that the move was against democratic norms.
“The PPP should not have boycotted the election … sportsman spirit demands they contest the presidential elections,” he said while talking to a delegation of parliamentarians from Balochistan.
At the same time, the prime minister appreciated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s decision not to pull out of the race, saying that the party’s “participation in the [presidential] election will strengthen democracy in the country”.
Defending the rescheduling of the election, he said the previous date coincided with 27th of Ramazan – a date which holds religious significance. He added that July 30 should still be acceptable to all quarters since there was still enough time for campaigning.
About PML-N’s candidate, the premier said Mamnoon Hussain’s nomination was a “sign of the party’s vision for the federation, which calls for bringing smaller provinces into the mainstream”.
Talking about Balochistan, the prime minister said the development of the restive province was a priority for his administration. “I’ll announce a special package for the development of Balochistan,” he added.
Premier Nawaz termed Gwadar deep seaport the key to both the development of Balochistan and the rest of the country. He added that the proposed Kashgar-Gwadar highway project, which would connect the port to China, and the Khunjerab-Gwadar road project would also usher Balochistan into a new era of development and prosperity. He added that the Chinese government has shown particular interest in the two road projects.
The prime minister said his government would establish special trade zones along the Kashgar-Gwadar and Khunjerab-Gwadar highways, which could prompt Chinese companies in the country to relocate their businesses. “This will provide more job opportunities to the youth [of Balochistan],” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 27th, 2013.
Deploring Pakistan Peoples Party’s decision to boycott the presidential elections, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Friday that the move was against democratic norms.
“The PPP should not have boycotted the election … sportsman spirit demands they contest the presidential elections,” he said while talking to a delegation of parliamentarians from Balochistan.
At the same time, the prime minister appreciated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s decision not to pull out of the race, saying that the party’s “participation in the [presidential] election will strengthen democracy in the country”.
Defending the rescheduling of the election, he said the previous date coincided with 27th of Ramazan – a date which holds religious significance. He added that July 30 should still be acceptable to all quarters since there was still enough time for campaigning.
About PML-N’s candidate, the premier said Mamnoon Hussain’s nomination was a “sign of the party’s vision for the federation, which calls for bringing smaller provinces into the mainstream”.
Talking about Balochistan, the prime minister said the development of the restive province was a priority for his administration. “I’ll announce a special package for the development of Balochistan,” he added.
Premier Nawaz termed Gwadar deep seaport the key to both the development of Balochistan and the rest of the country. He added that the proposed Kashgar-Gwadar highway project, which would connect the port to China, and the Khunjerab-Gwadar road project would also usher Balochistan into a new era of development and prosperity. He added that the Chinese government has shown particular interest in the two road projects.
The prime minister said his government would establish special trade zones along the Kashgar-Gwadar and Khunjerab-Gwadar highways, which could prompt Chinese companies in the country to relocate their businesses. “This will provide more job opportunities to the youth [of Balochistan],” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 27th, 2013.