PM Abbasi asks rivals to test their muscles in polls

By News desk

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

He challenged the political rivals to face the PML-N in forthcoming general elections and test their muscles, adding that the polls would make it clear as to which party emerged victorious. Addressing a big gathering after inaugurating a RLNG transmission line and gas station at Bhong, a town near Sadiqabad, Abbasi said 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 been overcome. Highlighting the development projects of 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 promoting the culture of decency and propriety in the arena of country politics. The prime minister told the people during the grand luncheon served by Minister of State Arshad Khan Leghari, he said the PML-N respected the apex court but didn't agree to the verdict on Panama Papers case. The people of Pakistan had not accepted the verdict and the history too won’t do so as the judgment was the cause of political turmoil. However, he said, 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 to smooth transmission of gas supply to other areas of the country. He told the people that the 1,400-km 42-inch gas pipeline would supply gas to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. Abbasi said the PML N government had given two million gas connections to new domestic consumers on merit. Separately, 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 said everyone was equal under the Constitution. “Today’s Pakistan is as much yours as its mine.” Abbasi said be it the federal government or provincial, it was imperative for them to protect the rights of minorities.