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LAHORE/SIALKOT: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said the government will not tolerate any delay in the upcoming general elections and will expose those pressurising the parliamentarians to change their loyalties.
While talking to Dawn on Saturday, PM Abbasi said: “Some people claim that they have received phone calls and are being asked to change their loyalties or party affiliations. Therefore, I have asked the parliamentary party to let me know if they get any such calls again so as to expose these people [callers].”
Also read: ECP chides PM for saying ‘aliens’ will hold 2018 polls
The statement came after as many as 30 parliamentarians from various constituencies of Punjab parted ways with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in recent weeks. Most of them joined opposition parties while some lawmakers, headed by MNA Khusro Bakhtiar, formed their own group to struggle for the establishment of southern Punjab province.
“Some will leave the party and some new ones will join. The PML-N will have good candidates on all seats,” the prime minister responded to a question about the party’s strategy to keep its electables united.
Asked if the khalai makhlooq or aliens — which have often been blamed by the PML-N leadership for the party crisis — were behind the ouster of former premier Nawaz Sharif, PM Abbasi said: “These are metaphors which are often used in politics.”
Says ruling party won’t tolerate delay in polls, asks institutions to work within constitutional limits
About the possibility of street protests in case Mr Sharif is convicted by the accountability court, the premier said the party supporters would lodge their protest by voting for the PML-N in the general elections.
“Our protest will be registered at the polling stations in the shape of votes,” he said, adding that the people would vote due to party’s performance as it had delivered.
Earlier this week, the prime minister had said general elections would be conducted by the aliens and not the caretaker government, drawing a strong reaction from the Election Commission of Pakistan that termed it against the mandate vested under Article 218 of the Constitution.
Commenting on Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan’s statement that the polls could be delayed for 30 to 45 days, PM Abbasi said the ruling party would not tolerate any delay as the “Constitution specifies a 60-day period for holding the general elections. Let’s see who defies it”.
‘PML-N respects judiciary’
Meanwhile, addressing a public meeting at the Pasrur Cadet College after laying the foundation stone for the reconstruction and dualisation of 25.6-kilometre-long Sialkot-Pasrur Road, the prime minister said it was not the job of courts to run the government.
He asked all national institutions to do their work within their constitutional limits for strengthening Pakistan.
He paid tribute to the military personnel and the natives of Chawinda-Pasrur-Sialkot who defended the motherland in the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, Federal Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal and former federal ministers Khawaja Asif, Zahid Hamid, MNAs and MPAs were also present.
Later, the prime minister laid the foundation stone of 73km-long Narowal-Narang Mandi-Lahore Motorway link road connecting the Narowal areas with the Sialkot-Lahore Motorway. Briefing the prime minister about the project, National Highway Authority officials said Rs16 billion would be spent on the road. It would be completed in a stipulated period of 18 months, they added.
Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2018
Comments (48) Closed
Well said. All institutions should work within the constitution, especially the aliens!
It's all part of dirty politics and blaming others for scoring political points, getting sympathies and diverting public's attention from real corruption issues. I say to PM: who is stopping you to exposing aliens and hidden forces as claimed by your master NS - let's have all secrets out once for all, otherwise, nation will not believe you and your mastermind!
It is very unfortunate that Pakistan does not have enough leaders with competent leadership qualities. There are many in politics making promises before elections but after elections, its business as usual, water problem, electricity problem, hospital problems, children's education problem, roads/highways problem and garbage problem. Poor getting poorer, rich getting richer, what else is new.
But when....???
Yesterday Honourable PM was talking about some "Aliens" today he is saying he will expose some forces. Can you please be more specific Honourable PM? In addition when these "Aliens" were operating on others PML-N was claiming credit for it. Hence what goes around comes around. The term Karma explains it all. Enjoy. Long Live Pakistan.
Every one knows the aliens but are afraid of standing against them because they have that strange weapons and some how they got that earthly money as well. So if money will not work threat will work. The whole thing has compounded by collaboration with another species who are threatening them for prosecution. Deadly combination of two alien species which are not foreign to this country.
delay in the upcoming general elections and will expose those pressurizing the parliamentarians to change their loyalties. Please, Make it sure for Pakistan, not Ns and his family...The foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love, and loyalty. Sir make sure again it is for your country...
PM Sir, Mr. Abbasi, really Sir, you are the refulgent North Star of Pakistan politics. You are so brave by saying you will declare the names behind the pressure tactics, that I will make sure 99.999 percent all the jelebis of PPP-PMLN-JUI-MQMP are made to stand behind the jet engines blast of PIA and Air Blue before take-off. Salams
PML(N) has contributed a lot towards economic development of country during the last few years. Also, it has helped bring peace and stability in Pakistan
For the last several months, the party leaders however, have been speaking loud and bitterly about judiciary and military. Without arguing the justifications for such outbursts, had they been not doing so, the party would be winning more and more supports on the basis of visible work done by it.
Yesterday Honourable PM was referring to "Aliens" and today he is referring to some "Forces". The nation is confused Honourable PM. Please enlighten us.
“These are metaphors which are often used in politics.”
So you mean to say that just like promise of ending loadshedding, assertion of honesty honesty, chastity and piety by shareef clan were also political metaphors.
One more thing: y is it that "will" is the favorite form of tense for politicians. Always talking of development or courageous things in future indefinite tense
Roads and d roads for the winds, but no hospitals and educational institutions.
Looks the PM is more concerned about PMLN, Nawaz Sharif & his family than the affairs of Pakistan. Mr. PM please pay more attention to power & water shortage, price hike of essential commodities and financial matters, these should be more important on your agenda than the Sharif family and the ouster issue. Keep such matter for party discussion. The nation is more interested in solution of their problems than that of a family.
Mr. PM accept the supremacy of law and ensure law should be implemented without any discrimination. There can't be a different interpretation of law for NS and common man. From day one, you are trying to bail him out from hinious corruption and now I am having doubt about you as well.
Constitution limits are no limits here. All out of limits. Politicians, Media breaks these limits often.
That's nice! Now, are you serving the people of Pakistan as the PM or more focused on representing your party at public expense? Is your time not more valuable with all the State duties and obligations?
The only reason you would in mudslinging and political commentary is because you have too much free time on your hands, while the CJP takes gets involved in solving all sorts of problems around the country - from corruption, to rapes, murders, anti-judiciary comments by your party hoodlums and dishonest figures.. '
When exactly will you solve the problems that public faces, instead of turning to the SCP?
Panama sharif now realising that he is going in prison,, his party going to lose election, that's why they are dragging Pak Army in politics,, so system wrapped or forcefully got NRO
Mr Abbassi you will be referred as land mark in the world history, who while sitting as P M of the country has exposed the forces behind his ruling party's desertion. Congratulation in advance.
I agree with our honorable Prime Minister. All institutes of our country must work within the defined limits of constitution.
@Jawaid Mr. Jawed could you please identify at least 3 areas of economic development. Dollar rate has gone berserk, debt has increased manifolds. Seems that you are looking at some other country statistics and assuming its Pakistan.
Actually its IK who dug out those Aliens of pmln. Now they are using this term against forces which is irrelevant. Everybody knows pmln is a foreign funded party.
@Jawaid my friend, we cant say they did a lot, they were just slightly better than PPP led government. This doesnt mean that we should aing praises for PMLN. Construction, road building etc doesnt make nations but are rather the biggest source of corruption as no one knows what went in till the next rains and floods. Education, healthcare, justice, empowerment is what make nations where PMLN government has done very little.
Distributing inported laptops and bringing in imported buses is nothing to be proud of. What is more important is how much we value-add and manufacturing we did locally.
Khaqan Abbasi is already watching his party's bitter defeat in front of his eyes in the upcoming general elections that is the reason he has started playing blame games and dirty tactics.
@Rino You would acknowledge that investment in inadequate and deplete infrastructure is necessary to revive the economy. This has been done by them. One can't rule out corruption opportunities in such mega projects. Especially in developing countries like ours it is inevitable. We have to live with it for now.
Yes, the similar type of focus should have been to education, health, social sector and water projects.
This government faced lots of distraction and legal trials during these years. Given such scenario their score sheet is not bad.
@Falcon1 well said. These are shameless people. Khaqan Abbasi is supporting a criminal who is certified thief, dishonest and liar, involved in mega corruption and money laundering cases and has many NAB cases running against his wrong-doings which will eventually send him to Adiala Jail very soon. Khaqan Abbasi and Co don't care what serious problems the poor Pakistani is facing thesedays. All he wants is to make his master happy and be a better darbari than his other fellows. The CJP is working day and night for the better future of Pakistan, taking notices of the problems of Pakistani people on daily basis and giving orders to provide relief to the majority of Pakistani people who are living below the poverty line in a miserable and dreadful conditions without even having a single drop of clean drinking water. but these Nawaz-league crooks are enjoying their luxurious life style and getting mega-salaries and other benefits for doing nothing.
PM 1st implement Asghar Khan case decision then expose other.......
Mr Khaqan Abbasi you are an intelligent and have proven a good PM but behave as Pakistans PM not PM for PML-N.
Making hue and cry makes no difference. Bottom is clear and that is PML (N) will get help like in past and obviously there shall exist no party. Bye Bye PML (N) and happy desertion days.
@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani - And above all, who accepts a dishonest, corrupt and forever disqualified person as his leader, Sorry PM sahib, we are normal person, ar least don't accept any person who has these defects and disqualified by SC.
.....also, all the corrupt politicians of Pakistan are living abroad as Aliens with all the looted money.
What are two disgraced ex-ministers tagging along the PM Abbasi? I am referring to former law Minister Zahid Hamid and former Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. Does PML-N have no other people?
Leaders don't create crisis and confusion, leaders are always clear to advise followers a straight path. Mr PM, you and your immediate subordinates need a leadership and crisis management courses.
The so called alliens are not doing ,what they are blamed for ,properly.Can you believe that they are calling people blindly and the receiver of the call is complaining.It is not so simple.
No sir, people does not have time for protests if NS in convected, as they did not had time to protest when he was disqualified. But perhaps they may celebrate.
If prime minister of the country talking like rest is wow........
People elected you to run the country and not head an investigation about who is working against PML(N).
What ever forces there are, terrastial of extra-terrastial, lurking in the shadows, tryig to degrade PML-N, if they exist than one must ask a very pertient question. Is the motive of these power for the good of the country and its people. No one can deny the fact that we have political parties that comes to power in the name of democracy, they deliver very little but extra efficient in loot, plunder and abuse of power. It has been going on long enough, there has to be a limit, they have to be held accountable and put in place to free the country of prolonged political and economic strangulation. That is precisely what the hidden forces are all about, this is how all sensible people will read the situation, but there is a big problem! Too few sensible people and far too many ignorant retatds, they will do what they have done, vote for the very same crooks and thieves, making sure the country remains backward and indebted like them.
@Jawaid you have a viewpoint which i respect. Unfortunately the infrastructure projects without a local value-add is nothing but a burden since it is not only a capital cost but all lifecycle costs (service, spares etc) have to be paid in dollars. While civil contractor maybe local, all the machinery, know how, specialized inputs and material, consulting etc is imported because the local mindset is “why spend efforts on creation when the same can be imported with kickbacks”.
@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani. There is nothing in the bag, that is why the use of future tense. Same trick used by ZAB after ouster from Ayub cabinet.
@M. Siddique So if someone is working against ruling party, how do you expect them to deliver at all? Your logic does not make sense at all.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said the government will expose those pressurizing the parliamentarians to change their loyalties. To begin with he should first establish that he is himself clean, did not take huge kick-back when he was Chairman PIA and in his involvement in Rs200 bn LNG corruption scam.
It is all politics.Who is speaking truth and who is lying,it is impossible to find out.
Does the man ever has his own opinion or can only parrot what the Quaid-for-Life has stated?
@ZAK he is the PM of Nawaz not of Pakistan,.which he often and repeatedly claims...
@Jawaid - Sorry, no sensible person agrees to your following statement: "One can't rule out corruption opportunities in such mega projects. Especially in developing countries like ours it is inevitable. We have to live with it for now."
@Zak It sure is. Go Sharif Go! Go Zardari Go!
I wish honorable prime minister of Pakistan tell about those aliens to its people . Election commission of Pakistan should conduct honest fair elections without any delay
Please someone should tell our naive PM that "Panama Leaks" corruption's revelation was responsible destroying the image of PML-N, and it was not the creature from outer space nor Mr. Imran Khan.