DADU, March 26: The Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif has said that the government of Pakistan Peoples Party has not taken any practical steps to solve basic problems of people and claimed the country was in a better condition four years ago and people are now more worried because their problems have increased.

He was addressing a public gathering on the Betto Jatoi-Mehar road after holding talks with chairman of Awami Ittehad Party, Liaquat Ali Jatoi, here on Monday.

Mr Sharif was accompanied by Syed Ghous Ali Shah, Saleem Zia, former speaker National Assembly, Illahi Bux Soomro, brothers of Liaquat Ali Jatoi, Sadaqat Ali Jatoi, Ihsan Ali Jatoi and members of the executive committee of the Awami Ittehad Party.

Liaquat Ali Jatoi, along with his supporters, announced joining PML-N at the gathering.

Mr Sharif said that Benazir Bhutto had done a lot for people during her governments. He said he signed an agreement with President Asif Ali Zardari but he (Zardari) did not keep his word.

He said that during super floods of 2010 and heavy rains of 2011, people were dying of diseases and regretted that he did not find the government officials in flood-hit areas. In some areas, rainwater was still standing.

The PML-N chief said that two to three feet of water was standing and no one was asking officials and legislators of PPP about it.

These flood-affected people had voted for PPP but the government abandoned them during difficult days.

He said that in heavy rains agriculture land was inundated, houses destroyed and he was the first leader who reached the flood-hit areas with relief goods.

He said that PML-N did not get votes in Sindh in general elections still it continued to help people in trouble.

He said that he eradicated dacoit culture when he was prime minister and would again end it if the PML-N was voted to power.

He said that yesterday Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that he had completed four years in government but Mian Nawaz Sharif had not congratulated him.

He asked people whether he should congratulate Mr Gilani when economy had collapsed, people were dying of poverty and duration of load-shedding had increased.

Mr Sharif said that during four-year tenure of PPP, the government had destroyed the country. In educational institutions of Karachi, admissions to student of interior Sindh had been banned which was not a positive sign, he said.

He said that jobs from peon to policeman were being sold in Sindh and claimed that in Punjab, jobs were being provided at the doorsteps of talented youths.

He condemned killing of a lawyer and his son in Karachi and said Supreme Court had taken notice against targeted killings and people linked with parties involved in killings.

He said that Ajmal Pahari had confessed to killing 101 people in targeted killing in Karachi and getting training in India but the government made a weak case against him. He said that political leaders were providing shelter to criminals.

The PML-N leader said that government was responsible for extortion. The government and its coalition partners were responsible for the mess, he added.

He said that when Nawab Akbar Bugti was killed, PPP remained silent and added that PML-N was the only party which raised the issue of Balochistan.

Mr Sharif said that PML-N had launched a website of the party in Sindhi which had been prepared by Marvi Memon. He said that Sindhi as well as languages of other provinces should be promoted along with Urdu.

He welcomed Liaquat Ali Jatoi to what he called his original party and Mr Jatoi assured him that he and his supporters were with him and said his son, family members and supporters were implicated in false cases.

PML-N leaders Syed Ghous Ali Shah, Marvi Memon, Sadaqat Ali Jatoi, Ihsan Ali Jatoi and Karim Ali Jatoi also addressed the gathering.

Earlier, Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif offered condolence to Mr Jatoi on death of his sister. People pelted two vehicles of Mr Sharif’s motorcade with stones when it crossed Radhan to reach Betto Jatoi.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.