Nawaz says he enjoys good ties with Zardari

Says if he wanted to settle matters, he would have gone to Panama

LONDON: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said he enjoyed good ties with former President Asif Ali Zardari, and he would have gone to Panama if he wanted to settle matters. He said his government was committed to fast track development and the prosperity of the country, besides strengthening democratic norms and the system.

Talking to mediapersons here after his arrival, the prime minister brushed aside all the rumours being churned out at home by certain quarters about  his government. He said that he was visiting London in connection with his medical check-up and expressed his resolve to redouble efforts for the country’s progress and development by utilising all available resources. The prime minister said that he had already addressed the nation over the Panama Leaks and expressed his wonder at what were the illegalities or violation of laws in such an issue. To a query, he replied that the government’s point of view over the formation of a Commission to probe the issue had been explained by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan today.

He, however, clearly maintained that nobody would be allowed to derail the country’s journey on the path of development. The nefarious designs of certain elements to stall the wheel of development would not materialise. “No negative efforts should be there to hamper the progress of the country, nor could Pakistan afford it,” he added.

The prime minister to a query replied that in the next two years, they would take the country on the path of such prosperity and development that could hardly be imagined. The Thar coal project was being inaugurated for the first time in the country’s history which would generate inexpensive coal power, he said, terming the project as a ‘game changer’ for the country’s economy. He said his government attached high priority to such development projects and hinted that gas load-shedding would end by 2018.

He lamented that previous governments created the loadshedding woes while on the other hand, his government was making efforts to end it. The prime minister linked the completion of these development projects to the welfare of the masses, thriving of industries, exports, production, creation of job opportunities and reduction of prices of daily commodities. He said the government should be supported as it was working for the provision of relief to 20 crore people and referred to his role as leader of the opposition during the PPP government, when he offered his complete support to the then government in case it succeeded in delivering on its promises. He said they neither did any politicking of bringing down elected governments, nor did they support such steps which could have weakened the democratic system. “The prosperity of the country is close to my heart. I want the development and progress of the motherland only and never compromised over these objectives by seeking power,” he added.

The prime minister to another question responded that ‘a personality’ was hellbent to create hurdles for the government through strange tactics. The government tolerated such a show in the form of the ‘dharna’ during 2014 and similarly was also tolerating it at present, he said, advising such elements to desist from their negative tendencies of harming democracy. About his relations with the PPP top brass, Prime Minister Sharif said he enjoyed good ties with Asif Ali Zardari, and said he met the PPP leader warmly when he completed his term as president of the country. Similarly, he was also welcomed by Zardari when his party got a heavy mandate in the last elections.

During the inauguration of an airport in Multan, he took Yousuf Raza Gillani to the venue. The prime minister said that such good democratic norms aimed at strengthening democracy and the rule of law in the country should be promoted and safeguarded. He opined that certain ‘immature elements’ would soon understand the situation.

“A personality through his antics was alienating himself,” he added and appreciated the PPP for not supporting these elements. About relations with India, the prime minister said that both the countries should move forward like good neighbours by resolving their outstanding issues including Kashmir. He said an Indian spy was arrested in Balochistan and such interference into Pakistani affairs must stop.