| PML-N president says immediate elections only way to put country back on path to development | PDM is serious and active to achieve its targets and objectives: JUI-F chief
LAHORE – Showing deep concern over the prevailing economic and political situation in the country, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly and President PML-N Mian Shehbaz Sharif and PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Saturday called for “immediate and transparent elections” to put the country back on the path of development and prosperity.
While talking to reporters after their meeting, both the leaders stressed the point that the country needed fresh elections to pull the country out of the current quagmire of problems. They also lambasted the government for its failure to control the inflation and its inability to strengthen the state institutions.
Shehbaz said that holding of immediate elections was the only way to put the country back
on the path of development. “Me and Maulana are in unison over the holding of fresh elections. It is not only our demand but the demand of all the component parties of the PDM and the people at large. It is their right.”, he said, adding that it was not an easy task to set things right in the shortest possible time.
“We will have to work really hard, day and night. We will have to make joint efforts and utilise energies to bring the country back to the pre-2018 state, and then the journey of development will further continue.,” he maintained.
Asked if his party would participate in the long march if Maulana Fazl pressed for this option, Shehbaz said: “We will have to do a long march against the government to agitate the issue of inflation in any case, and to hold it accountable using our political and legal rights.”
Speaking on the occasion, JUI-F chief said: “PDM is focused, serious and active to achieve its targets and objectives”. He also announced that PDM was going to hold big rallies in Faisalabad and DG Khan on October 16 and 31 respectively. He also criticised the government for laying off employees from different departments and termed it a serious matter.
Referring to some reports circulating in the media about the Pakistan Army, Maulana said that it was an important institution which enjoyed the support of the people. He said that this institution was known for the “Unity of Command”, but the prime minister had damaged this institution in a big way.
“The damage done to this institution by the PM is greater than the Indian premier Modi can do. “I am not talking about the internal matters [of the army]. We may have differs on political fronts, but we want to see this institution a disciplined and strong institution for the country’s defence”, he maintained.
Shehbaz Sharif also joined the JUI-F in criticism of the prime minister for what he called improper handling of sensitive matters. “An institution which is responsible for a country’s defence and history is testimony to its sacrifices is not safe. Imran Niazi has inflicted more damage to this institution than Modi can do. They way Imran Niazi who is master of taking U-turns, has handled the sensitive issues is highly deplorable”, he said.