Its never too late;CM Punjab

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that the announcement by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif regarding setting up of judicial commission of Supreme Court for probing into the alleged rigging in general elections, is a splendid decision.

He said that if Imran Khan terms it a delayed decision then I would say “its never too late” as any moment to change the sorrow of the nation into happiness is precious. He said that Imran Khan should take pity on the nation and show patience. He said Imran Khan should remember that time and tide wait for none and there is still time to resolve the issues.

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has that in the larger interest of the country, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has constituted a commission comprising three judges of Supreme Court for investigation into the elections and has also written a letter to Supreme Court for this purpose. He said that it was also demand of those launching long march that a commission consisting of Supreme Court judges should be constituted for investigation into the elections.

The Chief Minister said that Imran Khan has taken the biggest U turn of the history by rejecting the offer of constituting judicial commission. He said that the demand of setting up of “technocrat government” by Imran Khan who is the king of taking U turns has been full exposed. He said that there is no provision of technocrat government in the law and constitution.

Shahbaz Sharif said that the entire nation has seen the negative and undemocratic approach of Imran Khan through his demand of setting up such a government. He said that the collusion of Qadri and Imran Khan is a conspiracy of creating anarchy in the country. He said that the nation would not allow such elements to darken the bright future of the country. If God forbid, country faced instability, Imran Khan will be responsible and the nation and the country will never forgive him, he added. He said that Imran Khan had demanded that if Supreme Court Commission should be constituted for investigation of the rigging in the elections, he will end long march. Now according to his demand Prime Minister has announced constitution of judicial commission therefore, Imran Khan should leave his stubbornness and take pity on the country and nation.

He expressed these views during separate interviews to private TV channel here today. Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that Imran Khan had promised to the nation not to tell a lie but he is setting records of taking U turns and telling lies. The Chief Minister said that Imran Khan in his recent interview has said that he has complete faith in the Chief Justice Supreme Court Nasir ul Mulak, therefore, a judicial commission should be constituted for investigation of rigging in the elections and he had also given such remarks about the former chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry. He said that this is also a clear example of duplicity of Imran Khan that he is supporter of holding dialogues with the murderers of officers and jawans of Pak army and forty thousand innocent citizens and destroying peace of the country but he is refusing to hold dialogues with the elected government on political matters. He is same Imran Khan who had said that Pak Army has not the ability of facing terrorists but armed forces have started operation with valor against terrorists and have achieved unprecedented successes, upon which the entire nation is proud of it.

Shahbaz Sharif said that Prime Minister has taken a big step in the form of establishment of judicial commission for protecting the future of the country but the negative approach of those launching long march has been exposed who have rejected judicial commission and making unconstitutional and unlawful demand of setting up technocrat government. He said that a few days ago Imran Khan had announced that he would tell the names of those people through press conference who conducted rigging in the elections but he also gave wrong statement in this regard. He said that Justice Ramdey had retired before the elections and six months before the elections he had vacated the government residence and shifted to his private home. He said that Imran Khan leveled baseless allegations and told a lie about the eating of meal by returning officers and addressing by former chief justice at the government residence of Justice Ramdey.

The Chief Minister said that Imran Khan said about the member election commission justice Riaz Kiayani that he is legal advisor to Ittefaq Foundry which is not true rather the Chief Minister never met him throughout his life. Similarly, Imran Khan also told a lie that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has performed umrah at government expense whereas prime Minister bore the expenses of his own and his family. Imran Khan told another lie that Punjab government has spent 70 billion rupees on Lahore Metro Bus Project. He invited Imran Khan to arrange audit of this project through any institution and he has no objection whereas PTI government arranged feasibility of metro bus project in Peshawar and it cost was estimated at rupees 45 billion.

He advised Imran Khan not to play with the fate of the nation and do not mislead the nation through wrong statements and lies. He said that the so-called revolutionary Qadri who ordered killing of those returning from revolution march and entering the houses of police officials in groups for torturing them has also joined Imran Khan. He said that when a person orders to kill the people and attack the officials of law enforcement agencies he cannot be allowed to play with the life and property of the people. Shahbaz Sharif said that protection of life and property is the responsibility of the government and we will discharge this responsibility at every cost and no one would be allowed to play with the destiny of the nation and the country. He said that PTI has filed 59 petitions with regard to elections, out of which 30 petitions have been decided.

Replying to a question, the Chief Minister said that only Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, he himself and his son Hamza Shahbaz are in politics whereas his second son is not in politics whereas Imran Khan distributed tickets among his family members in the elections. He said that qabza groups and those who got written off loans are in Imran Khan’s party, therefore, he should purge his party. He said that a leader of Imran Khan’s party Jehangir Tareen has also got waved off loans. About Model town incident, Shahbaz Sharif said that he is deeply grieved and shocked over the loss of precious human lives and has sympathized with the bereaved families, took all necessary steps after the incident. He expressed his belief that there will be complete justice in this incident and justice will seen to be done.

The Chief Minister said that he had already said that if in a transparent investigation it is proved that he had ordered firing directly or indirectly, he will immediately resign. He said that so-called revolutionary instigated his workers under the garb of this tragic incident, raised slogans of “qasas” as a result of which police officials were martyred and hundreds were injured. Is this justice when a complainant himself becomes judge and decides the matters, he questioned. Shahbaz Sharif said that when there was dengue, flood, earthquake or any other natural calamity, these so-called messiahs were enjoying cool breeze in Canada and on recreational trips in London whereas Khadim-e-Punjab was with the people in the hour of distress. He said that talking is easy whereas practical work is difficult.

The Chief Minister said that lakhs of affected families have come to KPK as a result of war against terrorism where the government is of Imran Khan’s party. He said that Imran Khan and his government should help the IDPs. He said that Punjab government besides relief items has distributed financial assistance of 35 crore rupees among affected families and the second installment of 35 crore rupees will be distributed among these families this month.

Referring to the recent survey of Pildat, Shahbaz Sharif said that 63 percent people of the country have declared 2013 elections as fair and transparent and expressed their confidence in them. He said that the survey from July 16 to August 16, 2014 was not limited to any area but was conducted in various cities, villages and towns of the country. He said that the nation wants to know why Imran Khan thought of rigging one and a half years after general elections. He said that Imran Khan’s hue and cry of rigging in the elections and the unconstitutional and illegal demand of formation of technocrat government have exposed the conspiracy to destroy Pakistan and derail democracy.

He said that government believes in democracy and freedom of expression but no one will be allowed to play with the life and property of the people. He said that every necessary measure will be taken under constitution and law for protecting life and property of the citizens. He said that China, which is a friendly country of Pakistan, is making investment of 15 billion dollars for setting up power projects of 10400 megawatt. He said that mega development projects are being completed expeditiously in the country while effective measures are being taken for the promotion of trade and economic activities and foreign investment.

He said that under these circumstances, the only purpose of long march and Inqalab march is to hinder the process of national development and push the country into further crisis. He said that had this revolution been aimed at national progress and prosperity, the government would have extended full support but if an attempt was made to create hurdles in the ongoing process of progress and development under the garb of long march and Inqalab march, it will not be proper and the 18 crore enlightened people of Pakistan will reject any such activity.

Replying to a question about long march for the restoration of judiciary, Shahbaz Sharif said that lawyers, labourers, political workers, Imran Khan’s own party as well as people of all walks of life had taken part in the long march for the revival of judiciary. He said that that long march was for independence of judiciary while Imran and Qadri are conducting a so-called march for damaging Pakistan and destroying development projects. He said that even friendly countries are worried over chaos and confrontation in Pakistan and in such a situation no one will make investment in the country. Shahbaz Sharif said Imran Khan says that Nawaz Sharif is very late in the formation of judicial commission but he is of the view that every moment is very precious for changing the sorrows of the nation into happiness. He said that Imran Khan should take pity on the nation and show patience.

He said it seems that Imran Khan wants to punish the nation. He said that Prime Minister, President, Ministers, Army, Judiciary, elite and every segment of society will have to play their role for steering the country out of problems. He said that history will never forgive if any threat was posed to the country due to negative attitude. Replying to a question, Shahbaz Sharif he said that Pakistan faced four martial laws and the country was also disintegrated and there is a need now to make collective efforts for the stability and solidarity of Pakistan. He said that civil military relationship should be the best and there should not even be a shadow of mistrust in this relationship. He said that civil and military leadership should be on one page on national issues as it is essential for progress of Pakistan.

Shahbaz Sharif further said that Pakistan cannot afford any confrontation in the existing circumstances. He said that the remarks of Javed Hashmi regarding strengthening of democracy reflect the thinking of government as well. He said that Javed Hashmi had also said that no conspiracy against democracy will be allowed to succeed and the leadership of the country has also the same view. Responding to a question about Musharraf, Shahbaz Sharif said that Musharraf case is sub judice and he has made no promise regarding Musharraf. He said that Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Siraj-ul-Haq is playing a positive role for improving the situation.

The Chief Minister said that the nation is celebrating its 68^thIndependence day and on this occasion, the people will have to decide whether they want to strengthen the country or to push it towards disaster. He expressed the hope that August 14 will pass peacefully and Pakistan will be made an Islamic welfare state in accordance with the vision of Quaid and Iqbal.