Zardari is behind the conspiracy to delay elections:Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that, after the rejection of petition for dissolution of Election Commission, the intentions and foreign agenda of newly-arrived jugglers have been exposed. He said, by supporting the petition through his Attorney General, it has been proved that Zardari’s hand was behind these jugglers. He said Zardari is also behind the conspiracy to delay general elections and to derail electoral process. He said Zardari would have to bring the money of people back. He said electoral reforms are a good thing as those who got their loans, worth billion of rupees written off on political basis, those who do not pay taxes, those who do not have a tax number and those who are defaulters have no right at all to take part in general elections.

The Chief Minister expressed these views while answering the questions of media representatives on the occasion of inaugural ceremony of 27th Lahore International Book Fair 2013 at Expo Center Johar Town, here today. Renowned journalist and Secretary General Lahore International Book Fair Trust Najam Sethi, Chairman Lahore International Book Fair Trust Zubair Saeed, Secretary Information, Director General Public Relations, male and female students and a large number of book-readers attended the function. The Chief Minister also visited book stalls after inauguration of the fair.

Replying to questions of media, the Chief Minister said that those living in palaces, worth billions of rupees, do not pay taxes, while billions of rupees of loans have been got written off, during the last many years, on political basis and such persons have no right to participate in general elections. He said Zardari has mercilessly looted national resources, but he must return the looted wealth of the people. He said that real intentions of political jugglers have been exposed, as a result of decision on petition for dissolution of Election Commission. He said that Zardari is trying to derail electoral process, but the people would thwart his nefarious designs. The Chief Minister said that those who have suddenly come back, after enjoying in foreign lands, have a foreign agenda, and his observation has been proved right. He said metro bus is a great project which has been made for the common man and it is an asset of the nation, therefore its protection is a collective responsibility. The Chief Minister said he has appealed to the people to maintain discipline, while traveling on metro buses, and use them with care as it is their own transport system. He said that decision regarding the fare of metro buses would be taken soon after making a detailed review.

Talking on the occasion, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that relation between a civilized person and books is eternal, and holding of International Book Fair is a good attempt and its organizers and publishers should be appreciated. He hoped that International Book Fair would play a significant role in promoting book-reading culture among the people. The Chief Minister inaugurated International Book Affair and visited various books stalls. Over 300 publishers from Pakistan, Britain, Germany, America, India, Turkey and other countries have set up their stalls in the book fair, which would continue from February 14 to February 18. Publishers presented the Chief Minister a set of the Holy Quran and other books, during his visit to book stalls.