A government that does not come up to the expectation of the people should willingly resign, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif said on Monday, adding that “holding 2-4 elections before time will do no harm”.
Talking to reporters after meeting Sindh National Front (SNF) Chairman Mumtaz Ali Bhutto at the latter’s residence, he said rains and floods had caused severe damages in Sindh. “The province suffered a lot last year too. At that time, I went to meet the prime minister and asked him to work together for the flood survivors, but the government’s response was upsetting,” he said. Nawaz criticised the government’s appeal to the international community for aid to assist the flood-affected people, saying it was against the nation’s honour to beg for aid from the world. “The prime minister has Rs 29 billion at his discretion. The government has enough money to spend on the relief of rain-hit people. Why are they looking for help from outside?” he said. The PML-N chief said government institutions, including Railways and PIA, were on the brink of destruction, adding that Pakistani rupee was stronger than Indian currency in 1999, but Indian currency had doubled in value at present. He said questions regarding the election schedule should be asked from the president and the prime minister. To a question regarding the situation in Karachi, Nawaz said the situation in Karachi was no secret and open to all. The Supreme Court has pointed out who are involved. If there is reconciliation between political parties, it is encouraging but there should be no leniency for criminals.”
Elections: Talking to senior journalists later, Nawaz said he had advised President Asif Ali Zardari five months ago to hold general elections. “There is no harm in holding two to four elections,” he said. The former PM said ISI had briefed the SC about the Karachi violence and it should also brief the government in this regard.