We do politics of progress, prosperity: Nawaz

Says he doesn’t believe in politics of lies, sit-ins, destruction; vows to fulfil dream of peaceful, prosperous, educated, happy Pakistan despite all odds; distributes cheques among people affected by landslides, flood

KOTLI SATTIAN: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif  has said that his party practices the politics of progress and prosperity and does not believe in the politics of lies, sit-ins and destruction since they revolve around mendacity. He assured the nation that he would fulfil the dream of a peaceful, prosperous, educated and happy Pakistan. The dream will come true despite all odds and impediments.

He was addressing the people of the area in a ceremony held for the distribution of cheques among the victims of landslides on Monday.Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, who represents the area in the National Assembly, was also present on the occasion.

The prime minister maintained that he was carrying out the politics of development and service to the people aiming at eliminating poverty and bringing peace and prosperity to the country.

The prime minister said his government had planned to build a state-of-the-art road along the River Jhelum from Muzaffarabad to Mirpur. It would also be linked with Kotli Sattian, a border town of Punjab with Azad Kashmir, while a number of bridges would also be constructed on the river.

The prime minister, who was in an upbeat mood, said his government had always served the country selflessly and would continue to do so. He said he did not intend to focus his views on criticising someone or the character assassination of anyone, but to focus on the development of Pakistan.

He said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would be a game changer for the development of the country, adding that Pakistan would soon get its lost stature in the comity of nations. He said the objective of his visit was to provide financial assistance to the affected people by floods and landslides but he was amazed to see a huge crowd.

After giving away cheques among the affected persons, the prime minister directed the commissioner of the area to ensure that affected persons who were left over must get compensatory cheques within 24 hours and he should report to him about it.

Nawaz Sharif said that during the three years of his government, the shortage of electricity had been brought down to a great extent and vowed to end it by 2018. He mentioned that several powerhouses were being set up under the CPEC project to overcome the electricity shortage.

Nawaz Sharif assured the people of Kotli Sattian of provision of electricity and natural gas. He said there had been a remarkable improvement in the law and order in the country, with restoration of peace, particularly in Karachi. He lauded the sacrifices of the armed forces, civil armed forces, police, civilian officers and the general public for successfully waging a war against terrorism during the last one-and-a-half years.

The prime minister announced carpeting of all major roads in Kotli Sattian and construction of a modern hospital. He said that a survey was being conducted for the construction of a road along River Jehlum from Muzaffarabad to Mirpur conducted for construction of road along River Jehlum from Muzaffarabad to Mirpur that would be subsequently linked with Kotli Sattian.

He asked the people to come up with suggestions for new roads for promoting tourism, generating economic activities and creating employments in the area.  When Prime Minister was talking about his affection for the area, a young man shouted “We love you, Mian Sahib,” the prime minister spontaneously responded, “I love you, too.” A huge laughter spread over the gathering.

The people including women and children were waving hands standing on the hilltops and road in six kilometer route linking the rendezvous of ceremony and helipad as they saw Nawaz Sharif.

Earlier, speaking on the occasion, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said since Nawaz Sharif had given Kotli Sattian the status of tehsil, the area people had been reaping the fruit of development. About 90 percent area of Kotli Sattian had been supplied with electricity, he added. He said Nawaz Sharif is the first prime minister, who visited Kotli Sattian, and called for discouraging those elements who did not want to see the country develop. He lauded the local chapter of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for organising the ceremony on a one-day notice. It showed the love of the people of Kotli Sattiyan for their leader Nawaz Sharif. Punjab Labour Minister Raja Ashfaq Sarwar and Khursheed Satti Advocate also addressed the gathering.