LAHORE – PML-N President Nawaz Sharif has said that overseas Pakistanis should have the right to vote as they are a precious asset of the nation and are rendering invaluable services to their country while staying away from their homes. The former prime minister expressed these views while addressing overseas convention of PML-N in Italy which was attended by thousands of expatriate Pakistanis.Nawaz Sharif said the contributions of expatriate Pakistanis to the national economy were highly commendable and were acknowledged by the whole nation. He said the overseas Pakistanis had made every sacrifice for their country in every hour of need.Nawaz Sharif said the present government had made no serious effort for resolving the problems of the people due to which they were facing price-hike, poverty and loadshedding. He said dignity and honour of the country was enhanced during his tenures in the past and rapid development and progress was made. He said motorways were constructed, national economy was strengthened overseas investment was increased while Pakistan embarked on the journey to progress and prosperity. He said that there was no loadshedding or price-hike in his era and terrorism was a word unheard of. Former prime minister said that when Pakistan’s defence capability was challenged, his government, despite immense foreign pressure, tested nuclear devices and made the national defence impregnable. He said that his government enhanced the dignity of the green passport and the facility of green channel for overseas Pakistanis was among the achievements of his government. Nawaz Sharif said that had his government not been toppled Pakistan would have joined the rank of developed countries. He said that though the situation is critical but the Pakistanis should not lose heart. He said that elections are near and PML-N has a complete and comprehensive programme of national development and progress and its implementation will result in elimination of price hike, unemployment and loadshedding and transformation of the country into a sovereign and prosperous state as was envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam. The PML-N chief said that people should exercise their right of vote judiciously and should not vote for such elements as have brought the country to such a pathetic state nor they should be hoodwinked by those who are trying to mislead them through the slogan of change.He said that the track record of PML-N is witness to the fact that it has rendered record service to the people during both of its incomplete tenures and if the masses again brought PML-N into power this journey will again be resumed from the point where it was interrupted by a dictator on gunpoint.