Democracy did not deliver promised fruits, says Nawaz

Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif on Thursday said although the government had completed its tenure, democracy had failed to deliver fruits to the people of the country.
Talking to reporters on the occasion of All-Parties Conference, the former prime minister said it was a good sign that the government was completing its term, but the people were still facing troubles.
He said the incumbent government failed to provide basic necessities to the common man, adding that the people were fed up with bad governance.
Nawaz said Pakistan lagged behind in the race for progress among SAARC countries, as businessmen had wrapped up their businesses in Pakistan and shifted to countries like Bangladesh.
He said there was no gas or electricity in the country and law and order across the country, especially in Karachi, had become worse off.
Nawaz criticised Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran chief Dr Tahirul Qadri’s long march, saying elections would not be postponed under any circumstances.
He added that the self-proclaimed Sheikhul Islam wanted to adopt the way of “chaos”.
The PML-N chief added that he would not allow a few men to usurp the right of 18 million people.
To a question, Nawaz said he could not understand the philosophy of the coalition partners of the incumbent government who were taking part in Qadri’s long march. He wondered how the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) would march against its own ministers.
The PML-N president called upon all patriotic political forces to make joint efforts for frustrating anti-democracy elements that were out to derail democracy.
“We all have to play our role to steer the country out of the prevalent crises,” he added.
Addressing the All-Parties Conference earlier held under the aegis of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Nawaz said democracy, which returned after a long struggle by all strata of society, was confronting threats, but no one would be allowed to derail it.
Commenting on the tense situation along the Line of Control, Nawaz said Pakistan and India were the two sole countries where troops were being killed at the border. He asked the quarters concerned to take notice of the situation on the LoC.
Asma Jehangir, former SCBA president, said the country was confronting terrorism and there was a dire need to crush terrorists with an iron hand.
She said democracy was the sole solution to all ills.
Robina Shah, a JWP leader, asked for an early resolution of the Balochistan issue.
JUI-F’s Hameedullah Kakar said the constitution must be held supreme, as the concept of state ended in a country where there was no constitution.