SIALKOT: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asked people on Monday to support his government in materialising mega projects and reject ‘container politics’ which, he said, had only created anarchy and lawlessness in the country.

Addressing a public gathering in Sambrial after performing the groundbreaking of the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway project, the prime minister said his political foes dreaded with the dawn of such fast-paced prosperity and had fears if Nawaz Sharif remained in power over the next two years, their petty politics would end forever.

Those elements were given the mandate to stage protests whereas the government enjoyed the mandate to construct motorways. They wanted to let the country’s youth down, but the PML-N government would not allow such elements to halt the progress, he said and expressed the resolve to end unemployment.

He said that over the next two years a number of power and infrastructure projects would complete, heralding alleviation of poverty and removal of people’s deprivation.

Sharif vows stern action against attackers of media houses

“It is called progress. We have also mounted on a container, but it was nothing like ‘their politics’. Their politics smacks of retrogression and anarchy. Ours is a container of prosperity and progress whereas their containers represent stalemate,” he added.

Mr Sharif said the year 2018 would herald an end to loadshedding as various power plants were being installed across the country — in Kasur, Thar, Bhikki and Port Qasim.

The government would not only overcome the deficiency, but also provide cheap electricity, he said and mentioned the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project as a symbol of prosperity. He thanked the Chinese government for becoming a partner of the Pakistan government in the country’s development and making investment to steer it out of the power crisis.

Our Correspondent Abid Hussain Mehdi adds: Prime Minister Sharif said the motorway project was a gift for the people and exporters of Sialkot from the PML-N government, adding that it would reduce travel time and distance between Lahore and Sialkot.

He said three industrial zones, two universities, nine flyovers, seven interchanges, 26 small and big bridges and 34 underpasses would be established along the motorway.

The Rs45 billion 89km-long motorway to be constructed jointly by the Frontier Works Organisation and the National Highway Authority would complete in two years.

ATTACKS ON MEDIA HOUSES: The prime minister strongly condemned the attacks on some media houses and other properties in Karachi and vowed stern action against the attackers.

Talking to federal ministers Khwaja Asif and Zahid Hamid after performing the groundbreaking of the project and addressing the gathering, Mr Sharif said his government would ensure safety of people and media houses and their workers in Karachi at all costs. No one would be allowed to sabotage peace in the city, he added.

Without naming any party, he said political elements would have to face the law for bad-mouthing the country.

Directing the authorities concerned to ensure safety and security of civilians in general and journalists in particular, he sought a report on the Karachi incident.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2016