Those solving people’s problems must not be dragged into courtrooms: PM

DERA GHAZI KHAN: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Saturday said it is up to the voters, not courts, to make political decisions.The prime minister said the conscientious people of Pakistan would definitely react to the way Nawaz was removed and would cast their votes in his favour in the general elections.

He said the decisions made and confirmed by the masses are supreme and added the tradition of dragging those politicians, who worked for the country’s prosperity and solving people’s problems, in the courts must come to an end. The prime minister said the people had to stand up against the manner in which the Senate elections were held and vote for the PML-N in the next general election to rid the country of corrupt practices.

Abbasi, who earlier performed the groundbreaking of the Northern Bypass and Rakh Gajj—Bewata Section of N-70, reiterated his strong reservations over the recent Senate elections.

Seeking endorsement of his views from the gathering, Abbasi asked whether those, elected Senators on basis of their wealth, are acceptable. To which, the people shouted “no”. He again questioned whether the same criterion should be adopted for the Senate chairman, and the people again shouted “no”. “We would have to rectify such wrongdoings with the power of the people,” said the prime minister and added the ruling party did not pay even a single penny for purchasing any member in the Senate elections.

The prime minister said he would go an extra mile to put an end to this corrupt practice. He said the newly-elected Senate chairman and senators as well as their political parties needed to give a written oath that they were neither paid nor they gave money someone else to purchase a vote.

Abbasi said today the nation had to resolve and pledge that they would put an end to this heinous practice otherwise, he warned, such corrupt lot would continue to hold a sway over everything. He said the people of Pakistan needed to decide whether they are willing to see the sale and purchase of conscience of their elected representatives for a single Senate seat or to reject them in the next general elections.

He said the Senate chairman should have the courage to admit that money was paid to get the coveted seat.

Abbasi said it is unfortunate that those, who served the people are being removed through litigation – a practice which must come to an end as it is not sustainable and is damaging the country. He said his party has full respect for the courts; however, it is the right of the people to take political decisions which always proved to be correct.

The people of Pakistan opted for Asif Ali Zardari in 2008 and everyone knew what he did to this country. In 2013, the people sent him packing and opted for Nawaz Sharif, Abbasi added. He said there could be criticism on the legal decisions but those taken by the people could not be criticised as those eventually reflected their will. The prime minister said the nation could only progress, if democracy and political systems are strong.

He asked the people to take a look around and see the economic progress, the network of roads and motorways, power generation projects and the end of gas load-shedding.

Abbasi said the people are a witness to the positive changes brought in by Nawaz and it was up to them to choose wisely. He asked the people to rise above petty differences, stand united and vote for the only party that has practically shown seriousness in serving the masses and is working for the progress of the country. He said the PML-N has always pursued a politics of decency. "People throw stones at us, yet we return flowers. We have never been abusive and used only polite language.” He said it is time that the sanctity of vote is given due respect which is the reason that the people needed to vote in the next general election for the PML-N.

Later, prime minister visited the residence of Federal Minister Hafiz Abdul Kareem and Choti Zairin on the invitation of Federal Minister Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari for lunch. Earlier, the prime minister laid down the foundation stones of two important projects Northern Bypass and Rakh Gajj—Bewata Section of N-70. The bypass will help to regulate the traffic flow in the city. The DG Khan is strategically situated at the confluence point of all the four provinces. Two major national highways N-55 (Indus Highway) and N-70 (Multan-Qilla Saifullah), as well as four provincial highways pass through the city, creating an enormous burden on the city roads. The 18-kilometre long bypass will divert the heavy traffic currently passing through the heart of the city.

It will help in reducing the travel time and accidents. About 2.5 million people will benefit from the project with an average daily traffic count of around 5,000 vehicles. The bypass will be constructed in 18 months.

Moreover, the Rakh Gajj—Bewata Section is extremely important as it connects Punjab with Balochistan as the shortest route.

The entire commercial traffic from Balochistan travels through N-70 to reach various destinations in Punjab. The widening and improvement of this road will help in quick movement of the people and agriculture products between the two provinces.