Pakistan cannot afford politics of agitation:Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that country is passing through a most critical phase and facing internal and external challenges.

In these circumstances, neither the politics of protest is justified nor the country can afford it, he added. 

He expressed these views while talking to a delegation of National and Provincial Assembly Members which called on him, here today. Shahbaz Sharif said that PML-N government has worked day and night under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif during 11 months for ridding the country of difficulties due to which economy of the country is strengthening.

He said that some elements protesting are out to stop the way of unprecedented development and prosperity being made during the last 11 months in the country but politically conscious 18 crore people of Pakistan will reject the destructive politics.

He said that the value of rupee has increased by 15 percent as compared to dollar. He said that tax recoveries have been improved and overall national production has increased. Textile exports have increased by seven percent while foreign reserves exceeded 12 billion dollars, he added. He said that work is being carried out expeditiously for resolving energy crisis and 1700 megawatt electricity has been added in a short period while work has been started on 19 projects of 24870 megawatt electricity.

He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, government has also launched work on projects of generating electricity through coal and solar energy first time in the history of the country. He said that a few days ago, foundation stone of a coal-based project of 660 megawatt has been laid at Port Qasim while a day ago, foundation stone of solar power project has been laid in Bahawalpur first time in Pakistan which will generate 100 megawatt electricity by November, December during current year.

He said that foundation stone of coal power plants of 1320 megawatt in Sahiwal is being laid at the end of current month.

The Chief Minister said that China has announced 32 billion dollar investment package for investment in energy, infrastructure and other sectors. He said that due to solid and comprehensive measures of the government, country has made speedy progress and our worst opponents could not level allegation of corruption of even a penny against federal and Punjab government during the last 11 months.

He said that national resources are being spent on the welfare of people by considering as a trust of the nation. He said that the opponents of journey of progress and prosperity are making futile efforts to create chaos through protest but 18 crore people know who is serving the people selflessly and who is involved in destructive politics.

He said that patriotic and politically conscious people will never support those protesting unjustifiably. Shahbaz Sharif said he is unable to understand that why protesting elements do not want prosperity and development in the country and on whose agenda they want to stop public welfare projects. He said that the nation will decide whether to support those involved in destructive politics or those serving the people honestly.

He said that the people will once again give a decision on May 11, 2014 in favour of PML-N by foiling the nefarious designs of acrobat politicians as they expressed confidence in it in the general elections of May 11, 2013.