Daily Times

LAHORE: Ousted PM Nawaz Sharif on Saturday announced his support for a proposal by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) for inter-institutional dialogue to strengthen democracy.

“Prime ministers in Pakistan have been treated like this for last 70 years. They were only given an average of one and half year to rule over the people who elected them,” Nawaz Sharif said this while addressing gatherings in Muridke, Kala Shah Kaku, Shahdara and then at Data Darbar. “I am afraid the history of 1971 when the country was divided into two halves will repeat itself if the system is not changed,” he said. He also expressed sympathy for the people who had lost their lives in the Quetta bomb blast.

“If I am given another chance, I will bring a new system where justice to public will be given in 90 days. So everyone will get speedy justice without any delay. And for this, we need to bring in new laws, a new system and change the Constitution,” he said.

“If we are given another chance to rule, people will be provided fast justice and houses on low prices,” he said.

He also claimed that the system had been affected by a “virus” and he would fix it. “After this, we will make Pakistan proud. It was going upwards, but they let it down,” he said. “I will further give you my programme on August 14. I am sure you will support Nawaz Sharif. Gujranwala, Gujrat, Jehlum, Rawalpindi and Islamabad have already announced their support for this revolutionary programme. Now it is your turn to support this. Promise me you will not forget this pledge,” he said.

He also announced his support to the proposal forwarded by Raza Rabbani for inter-institutional dialogue for strengthening the parliament.

Nawaz said that 200 million people had elected him as PM. “Only a few people sent me back,” he said.

“Three dictators wasted 30 years of this nation. In 1971, Pakistan was divided into two pieces and East Pakistan became Bangladesh. I am afraid this could happen again,” he said. “I will not stay at home now, but will continue my efforts until the country’s fate has been changed,” he said.

“I have no greed for power. All I wanted was to secure your children’s future. I was hoping that unemployment would end in the next 2 to 3 years,” he said. He said that conspiracies had been started against his government right from the start. “If all these things had not occurred in these four years, I could have done a lot for nation’s progress. There is no other country in the world where such things have been happening for the last 70 years,” he said. Nawaz sharif had reached Data Darbar at 9:50pm. Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had received him. Nawaz looked tired and exhausted when he came on the stage. The national anthem was played before his speech.

Published in Daily Times, August 13^th 2017.