Agencies
ATTOCK
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif declared on Wednesday that clearing a protest camp established more than a month ago outside the Parliament House in Islamabad was not a difficult job.
“Up until now, we have tolerated all this and acted with decency and patience,” Sharif said and added “Otherwise it’s no hard task for us to clear the way and clear the streets.”
The majority of country’s 180 million people had elected him as prime minister and he will not resign on the wishes of a few thousand, he said at the inaugural ceremony of gas exploration in Sagri village of Jand tehsil of Attock district.
Prime Minister Sharif said the entire nation had a consolidated view on pursuing a democratic path, however a few people were pursuing negative politics that posed a serious threat to national development.
“Why should Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif resign on the demand of five thousand (or so) persons?,” the prime minister asked and added that he was sure that the nation would stand by them. “The entire parliament is on one side, and a single party stands alone on the other [demanding resignation].”
While talking about rigging in the last general elections he said he was not responsible for the “so-called allegations of rigging” in election 2013 as the interim government in place did not belong to his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. He said that care taker govt, care taker chief ministers of all the provinces and chief election commissioner was neutral than how rigging could be carried out.
Nawaz Sharif said the Chief Election Commissioner for general polls 2012 was appointed after consensus of all political parties and thus the results should be accepted. Those talking about rigging in the general elections first accepted the results, congratulated us on our victory but now are making hue and cry which is beyond comprehension.
He recalled that PML-N despite having some reservations about the election in 2008, accepted the results for the sake of continuation of democracy in the country. He said during Musharraf regime our nomination papers were rejected but we accepted it with open heart and cooperated in all respect and in result PPP could complete its tenure.
The prime minister urged those advancing the politics of sit-ins to not hinder the country’s development plan. He said it was not difficult to get the roads vacated of protesters; however, the government was adopting the policy of restraint. The prime minister said they were working for the development of Pakistan and will continue this process as whole the nation is with them and unanimous.
He mentioned that the postponement of visit of Chinese president to Islamabad delayed signing of several power projects, which aimed at reducing shortage of electricity in the country. He said we must not create hurdles in the development of the country so the energy crisis, unemployment, poverty and illiteracy could be removed.
He termed ending the loadshedding of electricity as the government’s top priority. “With abundant electricity, the issues of poverty and unemployment can be effectively addressed and smooth running of industries can be ensured,” he said. He vowed to end load-shedding within three to four years.
Nawaz Sharif expressed satisfaction over the exploration of gas and oil in Sagri-1 well by Oil and Gas Development Corporation Limited (OGDCL) and said it would be another boost to national economy. He said a major chunk of foreign exchange was being spent on import of oil and gas and stressed that more digging activities should be carried out to explore natural resources.
He complimented OGDCL for its 100th discovery at Sagri and hoped that the profit-earning company would generate more revenue for the government. He also congratulated the OGDL staff and announced two bonuses for them. He said OGDCL was a role model for other companies. Nawaz Sharif hoped that the country would soon be self-reliant in the production of oil and gas. State Minister Jam Kamal and Chairman OGDCL Zahid Muzaffar were also present on the occasion.
Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in his welcome address highlighted the achievements of OGDCL. He said that Sagri-1 well would produce 17.5 million cubic feet and 220 barrel oil on daily basis. He said the gas well will add 15 billion rupees to the monthly revenue and will reduce the imports upto 117 million dollar. The minister said the government would get a dividend of three billion rupees by the OGDCL annually.
Abbasi said last year OGDCL annual income was Rs257 billion which include Rs54 billion net profit. He said this discovery will help remove the backwardness of this area as well. He said the OGDCL board had recently been reconstituted on merit, with a sole objective to decide steps for strengthening national economy. He on behalf of OGDCL gave away a cheque worth Rs250 million to prime minister for the flood victims while two cheques worth Rs9 million and Rs7 million were given to the PM on behalf of OGDCL unions.