Pakistan is facing serious challenges:Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan is facing serious challenges while the federal government has badly failed on all internal and external fronts. He said that anti-state elements are conspiring to disturb law and order. He said that elimination of the scourge of extremism is necessary for national development and prosperity. He said that unfortunately both the murderer and the murdered today are Muslims. He said that ethnic, linguistic and sectarian disputes have pushed the country to a depressing situation. He said that the elements playing with the lives of innocent people do not deserve to be called human.

The Chief Minister expressed these views while talking to Assembly Members of various districts. He said that Islam is a religion of peace and brotherhood. He said that ulema and mashaikh should give the message of amity, tolerance and restraint. He said that there is a heavy responsibility on ulema and mashaikh to play their role for maintaining an atmosphere of peace and tranquility in the society. He said that the pulpit should be used only for promoting the sentiments of fraternity, brotherhood and harmony. Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that Pakistan is passing through the most critical phase of its history and its enemies are bent upon destabilizing the country. As such, he said, the importance of maintaining peace and harmony during Moharrum-ul-Haram has increased manifold. He said that Muslims believe in one God, one Prophet and one Book and differences among them are a matter of serious concern. He said that there is a need to foil the evil designs of the enemies with the force of unity and it is time to exercise caution and restraint. He said that all necessary measures have been taken for the protection of life and property of people in Moharrum-ul-Haram especially on Youm-e-Ashur and foolproof security arrangements have been made for this purpose. He said that instructions have been issued for strict implementation of the four-tier security cordon all over the province including Lahore on Youm-e-Ashur. The Chief Minister stressed upon Assembly Members and leaders and workers of Pakistan Muslim League-N to play an active role for the maintenance of an atmosphere of peace and law and order in the province.