Rejecting the “politics of hooliganism” by the activists of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has made it clear that dialogue over elections rigging probe and sit-ins cannot go side by side.
In a brief chat with reporters after addressing a ceremony marking the beginning of overlay and modernisation of Islamabad-Lahore Motorway (M-2) near Chakwal on Monday, the prime minister said that the dialogue can progress if PTI abstains from violence.
“What kind of culture the protestors are exhibiting and teaching the new generation? The aim of the protestors is to create hurdles in the progress and prosperity of the country. We have set our goals to achieve the targets of national prosperity,” PM Sharif said, criticising PTI’s tirade of protests.
Earlier, while addressing the M-2 inauguration ceremony, the premier said that the government’s Plan D for the country was that of “development” as opposed to PTI’s Plan D which stood for “destruction”.
He said that the development process will continue and hurdles being created by the protesting parties cannot stop this process.
“It is evident that no Pakistani likes the dharnas that are taking place, and no Pakistani will tolerate any hurdles in key development projects.”
“When we would go to the people in 2018 we would have in our record that we have ended load shedding, overcome gas shortage, reduced price hike and unemployment, eliminated terrorism and made the economy strong.”
“In contrast the protesting parties will go to the polls having record of sit-ins creating hurdles in the way of development, speeches of siege, attack on parliament and abuses to democracy,” the premier said, adding that if hurdles are not created, the development process will gain more momentum and soon the country will see and era of prosperity and development.
Furthermore, PM Sharif said that the government had provided relief to the masses by cutting down fuel and power tariffs. “The government aims to end the shortage of electricity, as well as reducing the price of electricity,” the premier said.
IN PRAISE OF MOTORWAY:
“It is the first time a road like this has been constructed in South Asia, and it is receiving praise not only from within Pakistan but also from abroad,” the prime minister said, referring to renovations at the Islamabad-Lahore Motorway.
He said the motorway was completed with country’s own resources at a cost of Rs 30 billion and today its price is more than Rs 249 billion. He assured the project would be completed in one and a half year at the estimated cost.
The prime minister said he would soon lay the foundation stone of Lahore-Karachi Motorway and it would be extended from Peshawar to Kabul.
He said when the construction of motorway started, several people criticized it but they are now using it with fast speed travel. He regretted that instead of allowing the wheels to move fast on the motorway, the PTI is burning them to block roads.
On the occasion, MNAs Major (r) Tahir Iqbal, Mumtaz Khan Tamman and MPA Chaudhry Liaquat Ali Khan from the area also spoke on the occasion and thanked the prime minister for the project. They demanded district status to Tala Gang and establishment of a university and a modern hospital in Chakwal.
Earlier, giving briefing about the project, Frontier Works Organization (FWO) Director General Maj General Muhammad Afzal said the project will be completed with the partnership of FWO and National Highway Authority (NHA). He said it will be a major public private partnership project. He said FWO will look after the M-2 for 20 years and pay the government more than Rs 206 billion.
Afzal said state-of-the-art machinery will be used for executing the project and before-time completion of the project will be ensured. He said it will be made sure that traffic flow will not be affected during the work on the project. He said cameras will be installed at every kilometre to monitor the traffic on the motorway. He said a special FM channel will be established on the motorway for guidance of the travellers. He said fruit trees will be planted on both sides of the motorway.
Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid, some members of parliament and elders of the areas were also present on the occasion.
NHA Chairman Shahid Ashraf Tarar and FWO director general signed the documents relating to the project in the presence of the prime minister and information minister.