Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif has ruled out any postponement of general election, saying the upcoming polls would be held on schedule. “The country is passing through a critical juncture. General elections are need of the hour, therefore, postponement of elections stands ruled out. Polls will take place and will be held per schedule,” he said while talking to visiting Indian journalists on Tuesday. He condemned the attack on Pakistani checkpost from the Indian side, saying bilateral firing on borders would worsen the ties. “India and Pakistan should together evolve a solution to contentious issues. According the most-favoured nation (MFN) status to India will bolster bilateral trade between the two countries,” he hoped. “If voted to power, I will bring the relations between Pakistan and India to normalisation,” he remarked. To a question on the proposed long march, he referred to an idiom that means, “how can a penniless person enjoy the festivities of a fair”, adding that it would soon become clear what a long march does meant. Addressing the SAFMA delegation, he said SAFMA and the media had played pivotal role for promotion of peace. “Population growth is on the rise and is creating economic challenges for the country,” Nawaz added. “The populations of both Pakistan and India have surpassed one-and-a-half billion mark,” he pointed out. Nawaz said both countries should mutually find solution to all problems facing them so that people friendly decisions could be taken. The PML-N chief added that Pakistani soil was rich with minerals, therefore, India should invest in the sector.
