Daily Times

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that people are fed up with political gimmicks and it is time to work for their betterment.

Talking to overseas Pakistanis in London on Saturday, CM Shehbaz Sharif said, “We do politics not for coming into the power, but for the public welfare and service. People cannot be deceived through false claims of change and revolution.

Taking a jibe at the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the chief minister asked how they could make claims of bringing a change in the whole country when they have failed in Khyber Pakhtunkwa.

He said change comes through development and the people know very well that only the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has the agenda of public welfare and development. He said that people could witness progress and development in Punjab and the real competition was between truth and falsehood. He said those who had made record of telling lies had failed to win hearts of the people.

He said development projects of the PML-N government were fast approaching completion despite sit-ins, protests and rallies. He said the PML-N would win more seats in the 2018 general elections due to its performance. He said he would continue to serve the people till his last breath.

Separately, the chief minister Saturday felicitated the Christian community on Easter. In a message, the chief minister said that the role of the Christian community in the development of Pakistan was praiseworthy and added that they were playing an active role in uplift of Pakistan.

He said that the Christian community had earned a good name in Pakistan through its service in health and education fields. He said all minorities have equal rights as per the constitution of Pakistan. He said quota for minorities in jobs was being strictly implemented.

“We should resolve to spread the message of love and brotherhood,” he said, adding that followers of all religions should resolve to work jointly as a true Pakistani for peace and progress of the country.

Meanwhile, Shehbaz Sharif condemned firing on a peaceful march of Palestinians in Gaza.

He expressed solidarity with Palestinians and paid tribute to their patriotism.

In a statement, the chief minister conveyed his condolences to the families of the martyred Palestinians and prayed for the early recovery of hundreds of injured Palestinians.

He said that the United Nations should take measures for the protection of Palestinians and the issue of Palestinians should be reviewed on humanitarian grounds. He said the UN should take immediate notice of Israeli atrocities on Palestinians. “Pakistani nationals should support Palestinians against the illegal occupation of Israel.”

Also, the chief minister has taken notice of murder of five members of a family in Gujrat and sought a report from the Punjab Police inspector general.

In yet another statement, the chief minister Saturday condemned the bomb blast targeting police in Dera Ismail Khan. He expressed grief over the martyrdom of the police officials in the blast and prayed for the early recovery of the injured.

Published in Daily Times, April 1^st2018.