TAXILA, Aug 12: Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that after being elected the prime minister, he will put the economy on the right track and also initiate development works in Attock district.

He was speaking at a public meeting near Cadet College Hassanabdal in connection with his election campaign for by-polls in NA-59 constituency scheduled to be held on August 18.

He said the country would see the dawn of new era of economic development and prosperity which had never been seen in the past. He said it was because of the present government that the economy had stabilized, the country's image had improved and democratic values strengthened.

He said the government had adopted the policy of self-reliance and repaid foreign debts, started development projects and provided relief to the people.

He said the baseless propaganda against him by the opposition leaders showed that they had lost support of the masses both in Attock and Tharparkar constituencies. He said the opposition parties had no programme for these areas.

Mr Aziz said if any irregularity had been committed, the opposition parties were free to move courts. He said if opposition leaders had any reservation, they should refer their case to the Election Commission of Pakistan.

"I am a patriot and will sacrifice everything for the country, its prosperity and solidarity," he added. Commenting on the suicide attack on him, the finance minister said his resolve to serve the country had become even more firm following the attack on him.