LAHORE: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal Saturday said Islamabad would not be closed down but nation would see an end to politics of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) on November 2.
He was talking to media after addressing and distributing laptops among students under Prime Minister’s scheme here at Government College University (GCU).
Ahsan Iqbal said that democratic system was fully in place in the country and ballot was the only way to bring a positive “change”, citing PML-N had secured enormous public mandate in all bye-elections, which was again ample proof of their confidence over PML-N leadership and its government.
“Those who lost people’s trust in elections time and again were now hell bent on grabbing powers forcefully”, he added.
To a question, he said that Prime Minister could not be held accountable on the basis of any of the Panama allegations leveled by the opponents, asserting that Imran Khan, who also owned offshore companies, must not become jury to take decision on his own and declare anyone unlawful on mere allegations. If PTI had any solid evidence, it must present it in the court of law, he added.
Ahsan said that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif always respected the judiciary and the Constitution, adding other political parties must show same spirit and let the court decide that matter.
He said that the matter was subjudice, therefore the politics of sit-in and protests tantamount to exerting undue pressure in this regard.
He said attempts to cripple the government through force was not democracy but anarchy. PTI must take its reservation on the floor of the parliament and wait for the Supreme Court verdict, he added.
Earlier addressing the laptop distribution ceremony, Federal Minister said that elimination of energy crisis, restoration of peace and putting the country’s economy on strong footings was agenda of PML-N government.
He stressed the need for abandoning the habit of politics for the sake of politics and focusing only on improving country’s economic competitiveness in the world. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was the gift of nature that offered great opportunities for every sector of economy, as it would make Pakistan centre of trade and commerce in the region of three billion population, he said.
Prof. Ahsan Iqbal said the government took up work in critical areas and sectors which were pressing challenges in 2013, adding, “By the grace of God, it has made great progress.
Today Pakistan has turned the tide on positive and upward trajectory and that is what has given them hope and inspiration for a better future”.
Three years ago, he said, the security situation was that terrorists were on the offensive. But today, the state is on the offensive and they (terrorists) are hiding and running to find refuge but they can’t find any refuge, he said.
So the country is much more secure today than it was three years ago, he said,adding,”We will not rest until we make our country fully safe and secure in all respects”.
