LAHORE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has asked his political rivals planning to undertake train and long marches to be patient and wait till next elections for trying to reach the corridors of power.

Addressing a ceremony held here on Wednesday to mark the 16th anniversary of nuclear tests by the country, he said: “I can’t comprehend the agenda of train marchers and long marchers as the politics of 80s and 90s will no longer work and no-one will believe in false accusations now.

“Those interested in politicking can do so at the time of election when the masses will decide their fate. They should patiently wait for four years.”

Mr Sharif said only those who delivered would succeed in politics. “The people of Pakistan are a better judge about our government after witnessing our performance and what we have delivered.”

PM says politics of 80s and 90s will no longer work

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf is reportedly planning a long march from Lahore to Islamabad on Aug 14, while Awami Muslim League of Sheikh Rashid has announced a train march on June 20.

Mr Sharif urged his opponents not to politicise development projects and said his agenda was economic and not political. “We are working with sincerity for the welfare of Pakistani citizens and not playing politics for personal gains.”

He said those holding protests were against development and people’s welfare.

The prime minister hinted at his desire to rule the country for another five years after the current term when he said that his party would take the country to prosperity “if given 10 years to work”.

Greeting the nation on the Youm-i-Takbeer, he said Pakistan was fully capable of defending itself against any aggression. But he regretted that the only Muslim nuclear power was deficient in energy. “What kind of atomic power it is where extremism, lawlessness, loadshedding are rampant all over?”

He said his government was trying hard to meet the electricity demand for 30 years and he would not rest till the curse of loadshedding was eliminated.

Mr Sharif said the country could progress only after the menace of terrorism was eradicated.

He said the Karachi mass transit plan would be initiated soon and it would be a priority of the government to complete all projects within its tenure.

The prime minister defended his India visit and termed it constructive. He said relations with the neighbouring country were moving forward in the right direction.

He said Pakistan wanted to have friendly ties with all its neighbours for the sake of progress and prosperity of its people.

Published in Dawn, May 29th, 2014