Shahbaz asks partymen to avoid discussing deserters

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who is also the PML-N president, directed the party leaders and office-bearers on Monday to avoid giving any comments about the members quitting the party.

In a statement, he said the issue would be discussed and a suitable strategy finalised in a party meeting. Separately, the chief minister congratulated the nation on the Constitution Day and said the consensus 1973 Constitution of 1973 was a major achievement of the country’s parliamentary history.

In his message, he said the democratically-elected leadership gave a gift of consensus Constitution to the nation 45 years ago, which was a harbinger of human rights and establishment of an Islamic welfare state. The national leadership unified the nation by setting aside their political differences to achieve the goal, he added.

Shahbaz said the 1973 Constitution had kept the nation united and guaranteed democracy, equality, tolerance and civil liberties, while giving a new dimension to important issues like provincial autonomy.

He added that the document also protected the rights, social justice and equality of people of different religions and gave an opportunity to the federating units to live in peace and enjoy autonomy. “The sanctity of the Constitution requires that it must be implemented in its true spirit,” the chief minister stressed.

He said, “The Punjab government also reaffirms its strong commitment to protect the rights of the people in accordance with the Constitution of Pakistan,” and added that all the efforts aimed at damaging the democratic spirit of the Constitution would be defeated.

On the other hand, Shahbaz, talking to Begum Iffat Liaqat MNA and Sultan Haider Ali MPA, said 2018 was the year of defeat of those engaged in the politics of lies and allegations. “We will go to the masses with the record of public service and national development,” he added.