Resolving power crisis a priority: Nawaz

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Nawaz Sharif on Friday said that ending the energy shortage was the top agenda of his party, as it would help address the ensuing issues of unemployment and poverty.
Addressing a gathering to mark the ANP dissident Farid Toofan’s joining the PML-N in Peshawar, Nawaz said there was a need to redirect the country’s journey, as they could agree with the agenda of an incumbent government that was pushing the country into difficulties and had isolated it from the rest of the world.
He said several parties were responsible for disturbing the peace in Karachi and stern action should be taken to resolve the prevailing crisis in the city. Without consideration for political affiliations, floods in Sindh should attract the attention of the entire nation and all must be done to ameliorate the condition of the flood victims, Nawaz said, adding that a similar spirit should be exhibited for curbing the spread of dengue virus in the country.
The PML-N chief said, “There are several serious issues the country confronts today. Look at Karachi, wherein many parties are responsible for the worsening law and order. The metropolitan city’s peace has been deliberately put under strain by self-serving elements.” There should be full action against those responsible for creating unrest in Karachi, he maintained.
He said it would have been better had the government acted to restore peace to Karachi before the apex court took suo motu notice of the situation. He said a culture of ‘commissions’ prevailed in the country and the practice had thwarted progress on many issues facing the country, including the energy crisis. Nawaz said a 450MW power plant was rusting at Karachi port for the last several months, but no action had been taken to save it from being destroyed.
“If I was in the government, the energy crisis would have been addressed at the earliest. Now it is the top most priority agenda of the party,” he added. “Economy grew robust during my regime. If national economy grows stronger, terrorism will vanish. If load shedding ends, the people will get employment,” Nawaz said. Earlier, the PML-N president visited Lady Reading Hospital to enquire after the health of schoolchildren attacked the other day in Mattani.
Talking to reporters, Nawaz condemned the suicide attack on a funeral procession in Dir and demanded the government fight the enemies of humanity and Islam with full capacity. He called attack on schoolchildren utter disappointment. Nawaz also expressed grief and sorrow over the demise of the mother of Rahimullah Yousafzai, resident editor of The News International.
The PML-N chief and other party leaders visited Yousafzai’s residence and offered condolences to the bereaved family.