We are ready to meet everyone for democracy: PM

LAHORE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Sunday that the welfare of Pakistan lies in the continuation and strengthening of democracy, and for its sake they were ready to meet everyone.
In a meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif at their Raiwind residence, the prime minister discussed key development projects and the ongoing political situation in the country. The prime minister said the government was making all-out efforts to eliminate the menace of horse-trading in the upcoming Senate polls, being held on March 5.
The premier was updated by the Punjab chief minister on preparations for the Senate elections in the province.The PML-N is expected to win all the 11 vacant seats from the Punjab.The prime minister expressed his concern over the allegations of horse-trading and said politics must be free of corruption.
Meanwhile, talking to parliamentarians of various districts here, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that elimination of terrorism, extremism and sectarianism was of vital importance for the economic progress and prosperity of Pakistan.
Terrorism will be rooted out with the force of national unity and victory in the war on terror is the mission of every member of the society.Shahbaz said peace was of key importance for achieving the goal of self-reliance and vigorous action was being taken against terrorists without any discrimination of being good or bad.
He said the nation was determined to eradicate terrorism and those who had shed the blood of innocent Pakistanis would have to pay a heavy price. He said the National Action Plan was a joint strategy to root out terrorism from the country and its implementation was yielding positive results.
He said a few terrorists through their nefarious activities could not shake the resolve of the nation against terror. He said the entire nation was fully supporting its armed forces at this critical juncture of national history. He said the political leadership and the whole nation were united to foil the evil designs of the enemies of peace. He said every effort would be made for making Pakistan a peaceful strong, safe and prosperous country, as effective measures were being taken expeditiously in Punjab under the National Action Plan, he added.
The delegation included MNA Mian M Rasheed, MPAs Hassan Riaz, Ali Abbas, Ch Iftikhar Hussain, Karam Dad Wahla, Saira Iftikhar and Mary Gill, who also informed the chief minister about the development schemes in their respective areas.