LAHORE – PML-N President Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has opposed another possible extension in service tenure of ISI Director General Ahmed Shuja Pasha.
Talking to mediamen after condoling with family of Col Sheraz, who embraced Shahadat in South Waziristan, Nawaz Sharif on Monday announced to name the busy Model Town Link Road after the Shaheed’s name.
To a question, Sharif lauded the services of Pakistan Army, however, he flayed those generals who ruled the country, saying when generals took part in politics, serious harm caused to the country and the nation had to suffer for a long time for their unconstitutional steps. “When generals usurped power, it only pushed the country towards turmoil. They should avoid that.”
To another question on ISI DG’s extension, Sharif avoided a detailed answer, saying he was not in favour of any extension to the ISI chief.
To a query about Seraiki province and the prime minister’s statement, Sharif cautioned the rulers and said the government must act judiciously and sensibly on this issue as it will have a long bearing on the country’s future.
“Decisions which are likely to affect future of the country must only be made after thorough consultations and deliberations,” Sharif said. “The cabinet should meet on (new province) issue, and all the political parties must evolve a consensus which is in greater interest of the country,” he added.
About recent statement of Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khosa, Sharif dispelled the impression of any rift in the PML-N ranks.
On the current critical situation of the country, he said the only way out was an honest and competent leadership that would respect Pakistan’s sovereignty having a good track record. “Only that leadership can successfully lead Pakistan to the path of development and prosperity,” he said.
When asked about his party’s policy on military operations, particularly the decisions taken by former president Pervez Musharraf on South Waziristan, Sharif said when he (Nawaz Sharif) was in power, there was no terrorism and no suicide attacks. All elements were brought to the negotiation table by his government which also succeeded in amicably resolving the situation emerged after withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, he maintained.
He said after 9/11 if country had a democratic set-up in place, no one-man show would have been there to take arbitrary decisions on Pakistan and terrorism, and extremism would not have taken roots in the country.
Without naming PTI leaders, he said those who make claims of change are fast losing their voice in the public. He said only PML-N will bring the new era of change.
Earlier, addressing the Punjab General Council meeting which elected provincial president and senior vice president of the party here Monday, Sharif said change was imminent on the political landscape of the country. With an obvious reference to Chaudhrys of Gujrat, Sharif laid stress on practising politics on principles without any ‘somersault’ for the sake of self-interest and shunning hypocrisy. He said those who voiced for Musharraf’s election in uniform for as many as 20 times, were now desiring his (Musharraf) red warrants leaving him in a lurch and for the sake of enjoying power were sitting with the PPP whom they once called their enemy party. “Such politics cannot lead Pakistan to its destination,” said the PML-N chief.
He said PML-N would bring revolutionary changes in the country and the time was not too far for that. He said after assuming power his party would ensure protection of respect, honour and sovereignty of the country.
Nawaz said had Musharraf not toppled his government, Pakistan would have been among the developed countries today. “I placed Pakistan among the seven atomic powers of the world and constructed the Motorway when none of our neighbouring countries had it.”
He said Musharraf had introduced the culture of political hypocrisy and dishonesty as well as opportunism.
Sharif said industrial output of the country must reach the level where it would export goods to others including India. He said country would live with respect and dignity if it would be self-sufficient. He said his party would deliver such a Pakistan to the nation and would provide every facility to every citizen in the country.