Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Wednesday urged all political parties to strengthen democracy by tackling “real” issues and shunning politics of allegations.
Addressing a large public gathering, he said the era of rigging elections had come to an end. “This time there will be no manipulation and the voters will be able to exercise their free will,” he added.
Ashraf said politics of allegations was not far-reaching as it defied the basic rules of justice and service to the people. The prime minister said everyone had a right to pursue their own mandate and the people had a right to vote for the leader of their choice, according to their free will.
Ashraf announced that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would address a gathering in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh at the death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto that is on December 27.
He recalled that Bilawal had rightly said democracy was the best revenge, when he had spoken for the first time soon after the PPP leader was assassinated, adding that his words had proved to be true.
The prime minister said it was for the first time in the country’s history that a civilian government was about to complete its five-year term.
Ashraf paid rich tributes to all allied parties that stood along with the PPP, “despite very challenging times”, adding that now “every Tom, Dick and Harry was out in the streets, with little to offer”.
Regretting politics of allegations, he said the people were sick and tired of such things and “want to see some kind of solid work done”.
Interspersing his speech in his native Pothohwari, the prime minister said the PPP had restored the 1973 constitution in to real form, adding that the opponents should at least have the courage to speak the truth out loud and acknowledge that President Asif Ali Zardari had handed over all his powers to the prime minister.
Ashraf mentioned the several constitutional amendments, and the NFC Award, saying some other measures taken by the government that would have a far-reaching impact on the country.
He said the PPP would continue to serve the poor and downtrodden of the country.
The prime minister lashed out at those who had continued to conspire against the party from day one, adding that they had failed to achieve anything as they had nothing substantial to back their claims. He was critical of those “who are busy in drawing room politics”.
He said it was essential for a politician to understand why the people of Pakistan love a certain leader, a political vision and a particular party.
Ashraf recalled that in the early days there was no such concept of popular politics as the people in general were denied the right to choose according to their will.
PML-N lawmaker joins PPP
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz parliamentarian Mushtaq Khan on Wednesday announced that he would be joining the Pakistan People’s Party. Khan, belonging to NA-19 of Haripur, announced his decision at a public gathering which was addressed by Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf. Wearing a tricolour cap matching the red, green and black of the PPP flag, Khan lauded the policies of the PPP government, saying the party’s vision had convinced him to join the team of able politicians.