Imran Khan should abandon his recalcitrance and talk to the government using the parliament as his platform, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N)’s central leader Hamza Shahbaz Sharif said during the party’s Istehkam-e-Pakistan rally on Monday at Lahore’s Charing Cross. “The people have decided that no one can get Sharif’s resignation using force or at gunpoint,” he said.
The PML-N leader said during his speech that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Imran Khan said that the prime minister would resign, but it has been 12 days since the sit-in began and there has been no progress. “The nation has rejected Imran Khan’s illegal demands,” he said.
Thousands of PML-N supporters turned up at the rally, which proceeded from Qartaba Chowk to Charing Cross. Rallies were also held in Sialkot and the party plans gatherings today (Tuesday) in Sahiwal, Sargodha and Gujranwala. On Wednesday, rallies will be held in Rawalpindi and Multan.
Hamza said that the PML-N would give a fitting reply to the PTI’s demands with the inauguration of the Lahore-Karachi motorway and through establishing coal projects in Sahiwal and Gadani, as well as solar energy projects in Bahawalpur. “Imran Khan’s sit-in has flopped and he is repeatedly calling musicians to join him at this musical concert,” Hamza said. “Khan’s Naya Pakistan gets women to dance at musical concerts.”
After the PM’s formation of a judicial commission to investigate alleged rigging in the elections, there is no need for a long march on the issue, Hamza said. “Imran wants the prime minister’s position via a short cut and is acting like a stubborn child.” He remarked that the National Assembly has passed a resolution showing support to the PM and urged Imran Khan to ‘wait for four more years’ before vying for the top slot.
“The PML-N took out a long march for the restoration of the judiciary and once it was restored, the sit-in ended,” Hamza said. “We did not call for the PPP government at the time to be removed,” he claimed. He said Imran Khan’s demands – civil disobedience, the promotion of the use of hundi systems, withdrawal of cash from bank accounts – actually showed his enmity towards the state, not the government.
Hamza claimed that businessmen, lawyers and society have rejected PTI’s demands and 12 PTI MNAs complained that they were not consulted before the call for resignations was made, thus forming a forward bloc of the party. “Imran must wing up this drama in order to save face,” Hamza said. He said the PM would fulfill all promises made to the people and according to the mandate given by the masses. “The nation will get real freedom and self-reliance when there are enough resources, and not through a musical show,” he said, claiming that the sit-in had resulted in a loss of Rs700 billion to the economy.
Hamza claimed that Imran Khan broke a commitment not to enter the Red Zone. “If Imran Khan is sincere, he should let the commission do its work for electoral reforms,” he said. Referring to recent fatalities in Peshawar due to rainfall, he remarked, “Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif would immediately reach areas affected by floods or earthquakes in Punjab, but K-P’s CM has been dancing at sit-ins instead of helping his people.”
He advised Imran Khan to let the nation continue its journey towards development, or ‘the nation will throw him out of the country’. If Imran Khan refuses to leave his container until Nawaz Sharif’s resignation, then he should make arrangements to live there for the next four years, he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 26th, 2014.
COMMENTS (11)
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“Khan’s Naya Pakistan gets women to dance at musical concerts.”
This conservative lot always has a problem with women coming out in political rallies. Such a shame that we have such misogynists in govt.
PTI trolls need to keep in mind that a huge number of Pakistanis are now supporting NS not in support of his policies but in disgust at what PTI and PAT have done and are aiming to do. IK coarse discourese has alienated a large percentage of educated classes and the far seeing eyes can see that this whole drama was nothing but to get into power at any cost.
Look at the international media who are not bought by any local influence and note how disparaging they have been about PTI, its march and its failure to mobilize any mass support. IK has called for public rallies across the country more than twice during the last two days and one can see that it failied to garner any response at all.
Of course, it suits IK more that the system breaks up and he rides triumphantly on tanks but much before that he has lost all respect, recognition and credence that he, alas, enjoyed till only 14 days back.
Those rallies consist of ASWJ, Jundullah, Le J, Jaish e M Le Islam, all banned. However, they are given safe haven by Nawaz and his brother Shahbaz and Hamza in Punjabistan.
Hamza , son of Shahbaz Shareef with his cavalcade of 19 cars is one of the reasons why people are so enchanted with the present dispensation. Why is he in politics? What gives him the right to speak? Why must we even listen to him?
By the look of the participants of the rallies, one can easily tell which party's followers are more educated, wise, sensible and enthusiastic about Pakistan. As someone said, PMLN just thinks about next election. They do not have any plan to improve the life of the people. All their schemes, polices revolve around getting more votes.
Buddy,, Pakistan is not your Father own Property.
@Aseem: Good one :-)
Hamza Sharif, at this moment in time, has to be one of the most delusional individuals in Pakistan . Reverting back to old PMLN policy, talk more about the motorway.
Pakistan is now at a state where no agency or department can be trusted. A complete over hall of the electoral system is needed and an independent inquiry is needed to investigate what actually happened in the 2013 elections. This independent "cannot be achieved until the Sharif brothers are at the helm.
I am glad that people are coming out to denounce PTIs anti state agenda. Imran Khan has been revealed for the sore loser he is. He can dance and listen to music while KPK has flooding but at least the federal government will help the people in KPK who are worried about the floods and dengue.
Stop talking about your ridiculous development plans. You should first clear the mess your father and his goons have created in Model Town. You guys have blood of innocent men & women on your hands. Shame on your so-called democracy!!