Shahbaz lauds 'N' workers' role

KARACHI - The Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif said the workers who gave sacrifices during the black era of dictator Musharraf, are the crowns of our heads and they will not be ignored during partys reorganization. Addressing a convention of PML(N) here Tuesday, the Punjab Chief Minister said those who betrayed the party would not be given any post and if they come back to the party, they will have to stand in the last row. He saluted the party workers of Karachi and interior of Sindh who, he acknowledged, used to come to renew their allegiance to the party at the risk of their lives and when we used to be made to roam about on the city streets in air tight armoured vehicles under sizzling hear. Shahbaz Sharif said after seeing the zeal and spirit of the workers, he is convinced that PML(N) would emerge as a stronger party in coming days. He said if the workers will remain united, there will be no reason the party may not attain its cherished objectives. He specially saluted the Sindhs women workers who, he said, were made victims of torture during Martial Law days. They are the great women who suffered batons and went to prisons but did not leave their Quaid Nawaz Sharif. Addressing the convention earlier, President PML(N) Sindh, Syed Ghous Ali Shah said in Pakistan there are only two major political forces - the PML(N) and PPP. He said the conscious and peaceful people of Karachi and interior of Sindh are awaiting Mian Nawaz Sharif because he has proved that he is the real leader of Pakistan. In his speech on the occasion Saleem Zia referred to role of Mian Shahbaz Sharif on the issue of NFC Award and said he got his wisdom and political acumen recognised. He said Punjab government took a good decision by allowing MQM to hold its convention there and same way all political parties should have the freedom to carry out their political activities in Karachi without any fear or threat. APP ADDS: The Punjab CM Mian Shahbaz Sharif said in order to make the country strong and stable, the reservations of Baloch leaders would have to be addressed and in the regard he will continue his meetings with them. Talking to journalists at Karachi airport before leaving for Lahore on Tuesday, the Chief Minister Punjab said Balochistan is our important province and the way the NFC issue was resolved with the spirit of magnanimity, the problems of Balochistan too would be sorted out same way. He referred to his meeting with Baluch Leader Ataullah Mengal here today and said it was different from the one he had with him 18 years back. He is very displeased but their reservations must be addressed at all cost, he emphasised. Replying a question Mian Shahbaz said if no problem occurs, the Local Bodies elections in the Punjab will take place during the next 6 months. To another question, he said Punjab has its own stand on Chashma Jhlum Link Canal and Sindh has its own. But the water of Sindh will not be allowed to go waste anyhow and a delegation of Sindh will soon visit Lahore and hold talks. Regarding support extended to MQM to hold its convention in Punjab, Mian Shahbaz was of the view that all political parties have a right to carry out their political activities all over the country and they should show magnanimity to promote democratic culture. To a question about friendly opposition, he said if PML(N) had played the role of Friendly Opposition, its effigies would not have been torched in the Punjab.

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