Shahbaz, Achakzai blast those insulting parliament

LAHORE: Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) head Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Friday discussed the latest political situation and promotion of inter-provincial harmony in the country.

As Achakzai called on Shahbaz, they condemned the elements that had defamed and denigrated the parliament and reiterated their commitment to continue working jointly to strengthening the democratic system in the country.

The chief minister said the democratic forces were bound to ensure parliament’s prestige and honour. “The patriotic people of Pakistan will hold accountability of the elements responsible for slurring the parliament,” he said and added that the agenda of the political elements seeking anarchy was not a secret.

Shahbaz said Pakistan came into being through democratic process and only democracy would ensure development and prosperity of the country. Separately, the chief minister chaired a high-level meeting and examined the steps taken for overall development of the province, including provision of better services and promotion of good governance at the grassroots.

Addressing the meeting, he said far-reaching reforms had been introduced in public sector departments by using information and communication technologies, which had resulted improved service delivery mechanism and efficiency.

Meanwhile, the chief minister strongly condemned the latest incident of unprovoked firing by Indian army at Sialkot Working Boundary, resulting in deaths of civilians. He extended his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and blasted India for targeting the civilian population.

Shahbaz also expressed a deep sense of sorrow over the demise of famous nuclear scientist Dr Ashfaq Ahmed and paid tributes to his services for promoting the country’s nuclear programme.