PM Abbas asks rivals to show strength in polls

BAHAWALPUR: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Saturday said it was Nawaz Sharif who had resolved the longstanding power crisis for the next 15 years.

He challenged the political rivals to face the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in forthcoming general elections and show their strength, adding that the polls would make it clear that which party was stronger.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating an RLNG transmission line and gas station in Bhong, a town near Sadiqabad, Abbasi said that Nawaz had always kept his words and never made false promises.

The prime minister criticised the propaganda of political opponents and said when the PML-N assumed power, the country was facing the worst economy and energy crises, but the situation had become better in PML-N’s tenure.

Highlighting the development projects of the PML-N government, the prime minister said it was the Nawaz government which constructed 1800-km long motorways and highways during the last four years.

Criticising the derogatory language of political opponents, Abbasi said the PML-N had always promoted the culture of decency and propriety in the arena of country politics.

During the grand luncheon hosted by Minister of State Arshad Khan Leghari, the prime minister said the PML-N respected the apex court but did not agree with the verdict on Panama Papers case. “The people of Pakistan had not accepted the verdict and the history too would not do so as the judgment was the cause of political turmoil,” he said. “However, the journey of development and prosperity was still on despite chaos in the country.”

Highlighting the significance of RLNG transmission line and gas station, he said the project was vital for smooth transmission of gas supply to other areas of the country. He told the people that the 1,400-km and 42-inch gas pipeline would supply gas to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.

Abbasi said the PML-N government had given two million gas connections to new domestic consumers on merit.

On the other hand, the prime minister said the parliament had representatives from all minority communities.

Addressing an event organised by the Hindu community in Ghotki, Abbasi said he was surprised over the US stance that the minorities did not have religious freedom in Pakistan and added that he wanted to tell the United States that minorities in Pakistan were living in peace.

The prime minister asserted: “Everyone was equal under the Constitution. Today’s Pakistan is as much yours as it is mine.”

Abbasi said, “Be it the federal government or provincial, it was imperative for it to protect the rights of minorities.”

On the occasion, the prime minister also condemned the killing of two brothers in Mithi, Tharparkar, saying the people behind the murder would be taken to task.