Nawaz lambasts PTI: 'KP's leaders only found on containers'

Published October 18, 2016
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addresses  during the PML-N Election Convention held in Islamabad. —PPI
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addresses during the PML-N Election Convention held in Islamabad. —PPI

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif lambasted the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday after being re-elected president of the ruling PML-N in Islamabad, saying the PTI's leadership has spent all its time on containers and dancing instead of serving Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

"Today the people of KP are searching for their elected leader. They are searching for those who promised them a 'Naya Pakistan' but they are only found on containers," he said in a veiled reference to PTI chief Imran Khan.

"Had you focused on your province, people would be praising you, but the situation now is such that you need months of effort to organise a gathering and to get people to attend it."

"Citizens will patronise those who they believe will work for the development of Pakistan." he said.

"Forget about Pakistan, the PTI will have washed their hands of KP by 2018," he said, adding that the province would be ruled by the PML-N after the next general election.

"These people claim they will come onto the streets and 'jam' Islamabad. We are the party that makes roads and you are the party that wanders the streets. Look at the difference between the two parties that one has been given a chance to work for Pakistan's progress, while the other has been given the mandate to sing and dance on containers, to wander the streets and to hurl abuse."

The prime minister's comments appeared to be aimed at opposition party PTI and come at a time when Imran Khan has announced a lockdown of Islamabad on November 2nd in pursuance of his demand for the premier's 'resignation or accountability'.

"When I was elected prime minister, people asked me why I was so worried, they used to ask why I don't smile anymore. I forgot how to smile due to the weight of my responsibilities. I made a promise to the people, but how would it happen? The worry was eating away at me," the premier claimed.

"We didn't have money for a single power plant. We needed dollars. If we put up one plant, we wouldn't have enough money for another, and you need lots of power plants to end the power shortage. I would like to thank our friend China from the bottom of my heart," he said, for contributing to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

He announced that electricity will be available on comparatively cheaper rates after completion of these projects and appreciated the speed of the work being done on various power plants.

"Shahbaz will be happy to hear that the Chinese said they [power plants] are being set up with 'Punjab speed'," he said, referring to Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

The premier reiterated that about Rs100 billion had been saved on various development schemes, adding that if another government had been in power, it would have taken commissions or kickbacks and avoided making savings.

Earlier today, during an intra-party election, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was reelected president of the PML-N.

Senior party leaders Raja Zafarul Haq was elected PML-N chairman. Both Nawaz Sharif and Raja Zafarul Haq were elected unopposed.

Sartaj Aziz, Sir Anjam Khan, Yakub Khan and Changez Marri were elected senior vice presidents of the party. Pervaiz Rashid was elected as secretary finance.

A five-member election committee headed by Chaudhry Jafar Iqbal received and scrutinised nomination papers.

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