LAHORE: Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique on Thursday stated that the peoples’ choice should be respected and that the sanctity of the vote should be upheld.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of a newly constructed block at a girls school, Saad Rafique said that people stamp the ballot paper with all their heart, without heeding false claims and allegations and that the vote of the public is a sacred entity. He added that peoples’ choice should be respected.
The federal minister warned that no one would emerge as a winner if parties fight among themselves and said that leaders should realise they are in positions where they should prioritise the country’s progress.
He criticised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairperson Imran Khan for constantly engaging in “politics of expletives”, saying he should instead focus on ridding Peshawar of rats and beautifying the city.
Rafique said Imran has turned 65 years old but he was not mature enough to be the prime minister. “Such a person cannot even be a mayor.”
About the co-chairperson of Sindh’s ruling party Pakistan People’s Party, Rafique said Asif Ali Zardari should work on cleaning Karachi.
The minister lauded the work of the Punjab chief minister, saying he would contest for the premiership and hoped that the latter helps other provinces progress just like Punjab did under his leadership.
Saad Rafique added that opponents are fighting among themselves fearing that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government will be voted in power again.
Speaking to media earlier on Wednesday, Saad Rafique said that judiciary gets strength from the democratic system and an independent and impartial judiciary could take the country forward.
“Nobody is demanding any concession and no one is giving concession to anyone”, he said and added that dialogues were important for running state affairs.
He said that the enemies of the country must be laughing at the situation of the country, adding that confrontation among institutions would not strengthen the country.
Rafique remarked that only two months are left in the completion of current tenure of the government and the political temperature is rising.
