Foreign assistance immersed in blood of innocent citizens and martyrs can never be acceptable to proud Pakistanis, as they are a living nation, Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif said on Tuesday.
He was talking to journalists in Sahiwal after condoling with the family of Captain Usman Ali, who was martyred in the NATO attack on an army check post. Shahbaz said that the federal government had compromised on national honour and self-esteem and was responsible for indignity of the nation. He said that representing sentiments of the people, the Punjab government decided to give up foreign assistance and 100 million people of the province did not regret this decision.
Shahbaz said that it was undignified and degrading to accept assistance from those people, who scoff at Pakistan’s sovereignty and martyr its soldiers. He said that temporary decisions were no solution to problems but foreign assistance will have to be shed on a permanent basis. Shahbaz said that time had come for Pakistanis to choose between the life of respect or ignominy. He said that the nation will have to rely on its own resources.
Shahbaz said that Pakistanis were proud of their soldiers, who embraced martyrdom for the sake of their country. Paying rich tributes to Captain Usman, the CM said that sacrifices of the army will not go waste. He also announced renaming Jhaal Road Sahiwal as Captain Usman Shaheed Road.
Pakistani blood is not for sale, says Shahbaz Sharif
