3rd Nov a black day in country’s history:Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that Zardari gang has defamed democracy in the name of conciliation and the benefits of democratic system have not reached the masses during the last four and a half years due to corruption, nepotism and plundering of the federal rulers. He said that people are still facing numerous problems and the ouster of inefficient rulers who have given nothing but loadshedding, price-hike, corruption and unemployment to the masses is only a matter of time. He said that Zar Baba and Forty Thieves have set new record of loot and plunder and the culture of corruption nepotism and Safarish has ruined the country.

He was talking to assembly members from various districts during a meeting, here today. The Chief Minister said that Zardari gang is mainly responsible for the crises being faced by the country and if the nation got rid of the corrupt gang, the country’s problems would automatically be solved. He said the elements who indulged in loot and plunder in the name of development projects during the dictatorial era are again setting records of corruption and misappropriation of funds. However, he said, people fully recognize their faces and will not be hoodwinked by them. The Chief Minister further said that selfless service to the people and bringing the less- privileged segment of the society into the mainstream of development is the pivot of the politics of Muslim League-N. He said that all resources are being spent on the provision of basic amenities to the citizens while Punjab government is waging a crusade for the promotion of merit, elimination of economic exploitation and corruption. He said that revolutionary reforms have been introduced in education, health, agriculture and social sectors. He said that interest- free loans are being given to the youth while more than 70 thousand teachers have been recruited on merit. He said that a monthly stipend is being given to 50 thousand boy and girl students under the internship programme.

The Chief Minister said that a new Pakistan will be built under the leadership of President Pakistan Muslim League-N Muhammad Nawaz Sharif where there will be supremacy of constitution, law and justice and equal opportunities of progress will be available to all citizens. The Chief Minister stressed upon assembly members to play an effective role in the transparent and timely completion of development projects besides keeping a watchful eye on the standard of development schemes in their respective areas. The assembly members who met the Chief Minister included Syed Muhammad Saqlain Bukhari, Muhammad Asim Nazir, Ali Haider Noor Khan Niazi, Rai Ijaz Hussain, Ch. Ghulam Nabi, Rai Farooq Umer Kharl, Malik Adil Hussain Utra and Sardar Atif Hussain Mazari.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said in a statement that 3rd November, 2007 is a black day in Pakistan history as it was on this day that a dictator took an unconstitutional step and imposed emergency in the country only to save his rule. He said that the whole nation united against this unconstitutional step of Gen (retd.) Pervez Musharraf and Pakistan Muslim League-N extended its full support to the masses in their struggle against the dictator. He said Pervez Musharraf caused an irreparable damage to the nation and the country by removing a democratically elected government. He said that had the Muslim League-N government not been toppled illegally, Pakistan would have joined the ranks of developed countries. The Chief Minister further said that PML-N believes in supremacy of constitution and law and will always oppose every unconstitutional and illegal step as it has done in the past.

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that inspite of all problems and worst opposition of Zardari, the wheel of progress is in motion in Punjab and the process of development started from the province will be extended to the whole country. He said that under the leadership of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, the country will be steered out of crises and put on the road to progress and prosperity. He said that the loot and plunder of the federal rulers during the last four and a half years is unprecedented in the history of the country. He said that the people can well differentiate between those who have plundered national resources and those who have served the masses in the real sense and only those candidates will achieve success in the forthcoming elections as have remained committed to the service of the people. He said that Punjab government has promoted corruption free culture in the province and no one can accuse Punjab government of misappropriation of even a single penny. He emphasized that assembly members, office-bearers and workers of Muslim League-N should maintain a close contact with the people and utilize all their energies for the solution of their problems.

The Chief Minister was addressing a meeting of office-bearers and workers of PML-N from all over Punjab at Model Town, here today. Senators Ishaq Dar, Pervaiz Rashid, Mushahid Ullah Khan, Advisor Zaeem Hussain Qadri, Begum Zakia Shahnawaz, General Secretary Muslim League-N Punjab Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, Members National Assembly Khaqan Abbasi, Hanif Abbasi and Anusha Rehman were also present on the occasion. Party conveners and committees were also set up at the district level in the meeting regarding the forthcoming general elections. The Chief Minister said that the aim and agenda of the politics of Muslim League-N is service to the masses and under the leadership of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Punjab government has completed development projects worth billions of rupees for raising the living standard of the people and providing them relief. That is why he said that PML-N is gaining rapid popularity and its roots are deepening in the masses, he added. He said that on the basis of its agenda of public service and solid economic policies PML-N will form its government throughout the country after the forthcoming elections and the process of development started from Punjab will be extended to the whole country. Referring to his visit to Britain, Germany and Turkey, the Chief Minister said that as a result of these visits, foreign companies are coming for investment in Punjab. He said that a memorandum of understanding has recently been signed with German company AEG for cooperation in solar energy sector and soon representatives of a German company having expertise in generation of power from coal will visit Punjab. He said that interaction of Punjab government with various Turk companies is continuing which will further expand relations between Punjab and Turkey. He said that Punjab government has renounced such foreign assistance which compromise dignity of the country and during his foreign visits, he stresses upon trade rather aid and this attitude earns respect and honor for the country.