Hanif Abbasi wants Sheikh Rasheed’s assets confiscated

RAWALPINDI: Former MNA and leader of PML-N, Hanif Abbasi, made scathing criticism on Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed and pledged to get his assets confiscated from NA-55 and NA-56 in the next general elections.

Accompanied by Rawalpindi Mayor, Sardar Nasim, MPA Raja Mohammad Haneef Advocate, Ziaullah Shah, former MNA Shakil Awan besides other leaders, Hanif Abbasi made Sheikh Rasheed the target of his criticism.

He said that Sheikh Rasheed had remained MNA and federal minister, however, had done nothing for the development of Rawalpindi city and welfare of its citizens. He predicted the defeat of Sheikh Rasheed at the hands of PML-N candidates from NA-55 and NA-56 constituencies with big margin.

On the other hand, the representatives of PML-N hailing from Rawalpindi including Abbasi have initiated a number of developmental and construction works in the city. In this regard, Hanif Abbasi cited the examples of mega projects implemented by the PML-N Punjab government over the last 10 years under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif which included transport system like Metro Bus, achievements in health sector with the construction of hospitals like cardiology, gynae, construction of flyovers, widening of Benazir Bhutto Road from Marir to Faizabad, underpasses, opening of educational institutions, etc.While Sheikh Rasheed had failed to deliver and remained busy in supervising dens of
drugs, gambling and other such places involved in objectionable activities.

Hanif Abbasi along with Sardar Nasim and Shakeel Awan also criticised PTI chief Imran Khan for not visiting constituency of NA-56 since winning the elections from here. They challenged Imran Khan to take part in the next elections from NA-56 against PML-N candidate and he would never run to contest from here. Sensing his defeat, Imran Khan has decided to field another candidate from NA-56, Hanif Abbasi claimed.

Referring to allegations leveled by Sheikh Rasheed related to Ephedrine case, Hanif Abbasi said that the AML chief used it as a weapon against him during the election campaign in the last general elections. However, in the next polls, Sheikh sahib would be unable to take support of such false allegations against him and suffer defeat at his hand from NA-56. Now it is our turn to include Sheikh Rasheed in several cases which would be true and genuine.

Referring to charges of corruption on PML-N leaders by Sheikh Rasheed, Hanif Abbasi questioned from where Sheikh Sahib got huge land of farmhouse measuring thousands of canals. “If this matter is probed, corruption could be proved even against Sheikh Rasheed as well,” he said. To a question related to alleged split among PML-N candidates in NA-56, Hanif Abbasi said that the party leadership would decide the issue of allotting tickets in respective constituencies which would be accepted.

To a question that PML-N candidates though initiating a number of development projects in Rawalpindi are giving no time to the public in order to listen to their basic grievances and resolve them which could prove a minus points for them in the election and instead remain busy in meetings, Hanif Abbasi, while refuting the claims, said, “Our doors are open for everyone.”

To another question also related to development works by PML-N and the inability of Punjab government to allocate funds to the local government departments as a result of which payment of salaries to all employees including permanent, contractual and ad hoc are delayed, Hanif Abbasi and Sardar Naseem expressed their unawareness about the issue and said that the matter would be discussed with the Punjab chief minister for resolving it.