HAFIZABAD – Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Saturday urged the state institutions to stay within their constitutional limits, saying that calling elected representatives ‘mafia, thieves and dacoits’ in courts is absolutely unacceptable.
Speaking at National Health Program inauguration ceremony in Hafizabad, the premier said that state institutions should respect one another and function according to law for the development of Pakistan. “Parliament is the only institution that is held accountable by public every five years through elections,” he added.
Referring to words used in the verdict of Panama Papers case by the top judiciary against deposed PM Nawaz Sharif, Abbasi said it is “unacceptable that judiciary uses such titles for the representatives of 200 million people of Pakistan”.
“Nawaz Sharif is being repeatedly targeted despite no proof. Political decisions are taken by people through the ballot and the people of Lodhran have given the decision in favour of Nawaz Sharif and people would do the same in elections 2018.”
“Only lawmakers are held accountable,” said the premier, while criticising other state institutions for not ensuring transparency.
Taking jibes at Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) opponents, Abbasi said that rivals have conducted rallies and stirred conspiracies against the ruling party, but Nawaz league continues to initiate and execute development projects throughout the country.
During PML-N’s rule, the PM shared, Pakistan’s energy related problems have diminished since 10 thousand megawatts of electricity have been added to the national grid.
‘No horse trading in Senate polls’
About the upcoming Senate elections, PM Abbasi said that the federal government would ensure free and fair elections and that there is no possibility of rigging.
Lauding the performance of government led by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), he said the verdict would be given by the people in July 2018 elections in favour of his party.
Referring to the demands made by Federal Minister for National Health Services Saira Afzal, the prime minister announced that university would be set up in Hafizabad in addition to the construction of two new roads and provision of new gas connections.
Abbasi meets Nawaz in Raiwind
Earlier on Saturday, PM Abbasi met Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif at his Jati Umra residence. During the meeting, the leaders exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and political matters, forthcoming Senate elections while agreeing on intensifying the public campaign for the general elections.
PM Abbasi told Nawaz that several projects including those related to energy are speedily in completion phase. He said that the government is trying hard to transfer the benefits of the development projects to the public. CPEC will prove to be a game changer in the region, added the PM.
Nawaz Sharif asked the PM to complete the ongoing projects in different parts of the country so that the PML-N could go to the people with head high by implementing the election manifesto.