Watersheds and vicissitudes: Sit-ins hindering development, says CM

Says Pakistan is passing through the most critical phase of its history

LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Sunday that Pakistan was passing through the most critical phase of its history.

He was speaking to a delegation of lawmakers and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz activists (PML-N). Sharif said the country was fighting poverty, unemployment, extremism and an energy crisis. He said it was necessary for political leaders to stress the need for national unity to ensure that Pakistan overcame the challenges. Sharif said those staging protest demonstrations and sit-ins were hindering national development. He said Pakistan would soon overcome the challenges and become a welfare state under the PML-N government.

He said the sit-ins at Islamabad’s D-Chowk had greatly harmed the national economy. Sharif said the economy had improved and the rupee had stabilised due to the government’s policies.  He said the sit-in had resulted in the postponement of several state visits to Pakistan. Sharif said the people would never forgive those endangering the youth’s future.  He said their actions had exposed them. Sharif said they were futilely trying to hinder national development as Pakistan was destined to prosper and progress.

He said the government was committed to serving the people and would complete its tenure. He said the sit-ins and the ‘self-proclaimed revolution’ had failed to stand the test of time.

Sharif said the government had been selflessly serving the people of the Punjab for six years and would continue to do so.  He said the government had completed several development projects in the province transparently.

Sharif said scores of people were benefiting from initiatives like the Aashiana Housing Scheme, the Punjab Educational Endowment Fund, the Danish School System and the Metro Bus Project. He said ongoing welfare projects would be quickly completed.

The lawmakers and party activists praised the chief minister for his efforts. They said the provinces was prospering and progressing. They said the chief minister had set an inimitable precedence of serving the people.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 20^th, 2014.