SARGODHA – Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said new political parties do not have any concrete programme and manifesto.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) being an ideological party has the roots in the masses and derives its strength from them, he said. Despite all the efforts of dictators to finish PPP, the party was still intact and vibrant with the strength of the workers and masses, Gilani told a public gathering at Company Bagh Sargodha after inaugurating and laying foundation stones of a number of development projects.
On the question of the formation of new political parties and talk of revolutions, he said revolution was only possible with the support of masses. The new entrants in politics talking about bringing about political tsunamis did not have public support, he said while referring to Imran Khan’s PTI.
Gilani said some parties came to power through crutches but they were washed away because these parties did not have roots in the masses. People’s Party did not come to power through backdoors but with the power of the vote and people always stood with the PPP in difficult situations. They would be unsuccessful because no change could be brought by mere statements and tall claims.
All the major political parties like PML-Q, ANP, MQM and other leading political players were cooperating with PPP, he said, adding, “It is our power that we are going along with all the parties through reconciliation,” he added. He said PPP joined hands with other political parties as per the reconciliation vision of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.
The PM alleged that other political parties were misguiding the masses. He said he did not come there for votes as there was no election in the area but he was there to fulfil his promises made with the people to provide them basic facilities. He said that “our workers are precious diamonds” and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto went to gallows for them.
The prime minister announced provision of gas and electricity to 1,123 villages, provision of clean potable water, IT centre in each union council, training centres for youth with an amount of Rs250 million. He also inaugurated a medical college established at the cost of Rs820 million, 132 KV grid station at the cost of Rs430 million and railway underpass built with Rs310 million, besides launching Sui Gas Regional Office and FBR Regional Office. He announced to establish High Court Bench and Benazir AstroTurf Hockey Stadium for Sargodha, elimination of export duty on kinow export to Indonesia. He also declared funds from Baitul Mal for the treatment of a sick girl and a boy.