BAHAWALPUR: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has asked the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf to first build a new Khyber Pakhtunkhwa before building a ‘Naya Pakistan’.

Addressing flood-affected people near Uch Sharif, about 70km from here, on Wednesday, the prime minister dwelt at length on the current political situation, suffering of flood-affected people and government’s efforts to rehabilitate them.

Without naming PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek leader Dr Tahirul Qadri, Mr Sharif advised them to say goodbye to ‘negative’ politics and join hands with him to help the flood-stricken people.

He said they talked about the suffering of flood-hit people while sitting in air-conditioned containers. The situation in KP is worsening and needs urgent attention.

Say goodbye to ‘negative’ politics and join hands with me to help flood-stricken people: Sharif

Mr Sharif said politics was not a game of hitting boundaries. “He [Imran] is still trying to hit fours and sixes, but each time he is getting caught at the fence.” This drama won’t last long and the government will complete its term.

The prime minister was all praise for parliament and political parties which stood by him during the recent crisis.

He said the PML-N had been voted to power by millions whereas his resignation was being demanded by a maximum of 30,000 people. The protesters have wasted country’s precious time and adversely affected investment prospects.

He said there was an urgent need for a plan to end poverty, unemployment and lawlessness. He expressed the confidence that despite all the problems his government was determined to bring about a change in the conditions in Pakistan.

The prime minister assured the agriculturists of providing fertiliser and diesel at cheap rates and acting against theft of canal water.

He said the government was fully aware of the energy crisis and trying to resolve it. The country faced a shortage of 5,000 MW while the Quaid-e-Azam solar park would generate 1,000 MW and the Bhasha and Dasu dams about 9,000 MW.

Mr Sharif said he could not rest till the rehabilitation of flood-affected people. He informed them that the payment of second instalment of relief and compensation would be taken up from Oct 20 and a survey regarding the loss of crops was in progress.The prime minister announced a dual carriageway project from Uch Sharif to Ahmedpur East which would be linked to Lahore-Karachi Motorway, a girls’ college at Channigoth and a protective spur in the area.

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2014