LAHORE: Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique has said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is likely to visit China next month to urge Chinese businessmen to make investment in infrastructure development projects in the country.

“Ministries concerned are busy in homework for the visit,” Mr Rafique said at a news conference here on Sunday. The prime minister will ask Chinese businessmen to help Pakistan develop infrastructure in sectors of ports and shipping, energy, railways and highways.

He said certain elements were out to foil efforts being made by the government to steer the country out of the crisis.

Also read: Chinese president cancels Pakistan trip, India visit still on

“Terrorism, suicide bombing and drone attacks are the gifts of Gen Pervez Musharraf who facilitated (the US to) use Pakistan to conquer Kabul, was involved in the assassination of Nawab Akbar Bugti and Benazir Bhutto and was the mastermind of the Kargil misadventure,” the minister said.

Fifteen years ago on Oct 12, he recalled, an elected prime minister was removed for making the country an atomic power despite pressure by super powers. “The same people who supported the dictatorial regime of Gen Musharraf are now out to again derail democracy, which only can guarantee a prosperous Pakistan.”

He advised the political leaders “who are fond of staging sit-ins” to play the role of real opposition by forming a shadow cabinet. “Only by doing so they can give us a tough time,” he added.

Mr Rafique urged Imran Khan to hold an investigation into the `mismanagement’ which resulted in the stampede during the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf rally in Multan in which several innocent people lost their lives.

Terming the incident a tragedy, Mr Rafique regretted that PTI workers had misbehaved when a minister visited a hospital to inquire after the health of those injured in the stampede.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2014