In negation of the public’s demand and even the party’s own resolve for another long march, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif on Friday categorically said that a long march could not be taken out for every issue.
However, the PML-N chief said that he would not hesitate in giving the call for a long march if such a situation arose. This is the first point-blank statement by Nawaz on the long march issue leaving the people, who had pinned hopes on the PML-N holding a long march to rid the country of all its crises, high and dry. After the judiciary was reinstated as a result of the PML-N-backed long march in 2009, the Sharifs upped the ante against the PPP-led coalition government and never spared a moment in warning it of a final long march against it.
The alarm was issued various times by various PML-N firebrands. However, Nawaz finally put a damper on all hopes at a function in connection with International Youth Day held at the CM’s Secretariat. Nawaz said he did not want the PPP to become a martyr, therefore the PML-N was engaged in uncovering all the government’s wrongdoings and bad governance, in and out of the assembly. “Bad governance has destroyed the image of democracy. Courts are being humiliated. Flood donations are being consumed in the Benazir Income Support Programme. Hence those who brought the PPP in power were demanding to dismantle it,” Nawaz said. On the rise in terrorism, the PML-N president said such activities would not be taking place if the country was progressing in a democratic manner.
