ISLAMABAD - Refuting the demand of resignation by what he said politically bankrupt politicians Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif came up with firm caution that no one would be allowed to create anarchy in the country on August 14.
Addressing a public gathering near Chakwal after laying down the foundation stone of the Chakwal-Sohawa and Chakwal-Mandra Road Project, Premier Sharif said that those who had announced to resign in case of bringing down of dollar below Rs100 were not demanding his resignation and made it clear that neither he would resign nor bow to the unconstitutional demands of these elements who did not want to see the country’s march on road to progress and prosperity.
Premier Sharif, portraying the dismal condition when they took over the control of government said that the national exchequer was empty and almost everything was in tatters. In just one year his government had taken concrete steps toward resolution of the problems, which had been ignored by the successive government for almost couple of decades, he claimed.
He said that it was his government which had constructed motorway from Islamabad to Lahore but no successive government even thought about extending the project to other cities and once again it was in the credit of their government that they had planned its extension up to Karachi.
The prime minister said that it was not the time for holding protests and agitation because the armed forces of the country were fighting war against militancy and future of the nation is linked to its success. He said that in next four years they would bring revolution in the lives of common people and people would start reaping the fruits of the economic progress.
The inauguration ceremony of the project was also attended by the Minister of State for Communications Abdul Hakim; MNAs Sardar Mumtaz Tamman, Javed Ikhlas and Tahir Iqbal; Lt General (r) Abdul Qayyum and local dignitaries. The Premier was briefed by NLC DG about the project details.
The PM was told that the 130 kilometre long road project would benefit the people of Chakwal, Khushab, Sohawa, Talagang, Mianwali and DI Khan and would be completed in 18 months. The project would cost Rs8.5 billion and both roads would be constructed as dual carriageways.
The prime minister said that the project is of vital importance for the local people and its construction should be carried out at fast pace. He directed to extend the width of the road and complete the construction work in one year. He also announced to make Chakwal Bypass part of the project so that the intra-city traffic density could be minimised.
Addressing the gathering at the occasion, PM Nawaz Sharif said that their government has made a comprehensive development package for whole of Pakistan. “We have initiated several road infrastructure projects, energy projects, railway upgradation projects and new railway track projects in the country and these projects are not limited to a specific area but cover whole of Pakistan.”
The PM said that 10 coal power projects in Gadani, 2 coal power projects in Port Qasim, 4 power plants in different locations of Punjab, 10 coal power projects in Thar, Dasu Dam, Diamer Dam and Civil Nuclear power project in Karachi speak volumes about our commitment to resolve the energy crisis being faced by the country.
“We are striving for long term as well as short term coal, hydel and nuclear power projects so that cheap and abundant electricity is available to people of Pakistan in next few years,” he explained. The power crisis could not be resolved overnight as the previous governments did not take any concrete measures to resolve the issue and “it is now our government that has taken up this task on war footing”.
“We started the concept of motorways in Pakistan and now a large area of our population is taking its benefit. It is our government, which has decided to extend the motorway up to Karachi,” he added. The new railway track from Islamabad-Muzaffarabad, announced by the government, is the only new track envisaged by Pakistan Railways since last many years, PM said.
“Such are the steps taken by our government to put Pakistan back on path to progress that the confidence of multilateral donors in country’s economy has started to build up. “The economic indicators of our economy are positive, while the recent Moody’s rating has also rated Pakistan better in economic standings,” he added.
The prime minister said that these are achievements of “only our first year in government and u can well imagine that destiny of our country will change in next four years, if the developmental activities continue with same pace. We have a commitment of development with our people and we stand by it. We have solution to all the problems faced by our country and we are going step by step to resolve them”.
Nawaz Sharif further said, “We have taken strong and united stand against terrorism, be it law and order situation in Karachi or terrorism issue. Results of our efforts are obvious.” Premier also paid tribute to the people of Chakwal whose soldiers have played an important role in protection of the motherland and called it a city of Ghazis and Shuhadaa.