Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has vowed to turn Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) into Punjab, asking the people of the province to vote for the right leaders who believe in prosperity and development instead of those who spread chaos and anarchy.
“If you want Peshawar to be developed like Lahore and entire province like Punjab then you have to decide who wants prosperity and development and who made false promises and takes U-turns,” said PM Shehbaz while referring to PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday.
He was addressing a public gathering in Mansehra district of K-P, a stronghold of his predecessor Imran. “I promise you that I will make all-out efforts for your prosperity under the leadership of [PML-N] supremo Nawaz Sharif..”
While speaking about the economic challenges facing the country, Premier Shehbaz said his government had to increase the electricity and fuel prices “with heavy heart” and criticised the previous PTI government for freezing the petroleum prices for political gains. “But at the same time, we also provided subsidies to 8.5 million families…”
He also requested K-P Chief Minister Mehmood Khan of PTI to reduce the flour price in the province. “I will request the [K-P] CM to provide flour at cheap rates but if he does not respond then I am repeating that I will sell my clothes…”
He also announced the establishment of a medical college in Mansehra and a development package worth Rs1 billion for the district.
In the upcoming budget, the government will unveil a scheme to provide free laptops to the country’s youth, he added.
‘Absolutely not’
Addressing the rally before the prime minister, PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz said the incumbent premier will change the destiny of Pakistan with the support of the people.
She said people rejected the PTI’s long march, saying “absolutely not”. “He [Imran] used the K-P government’s resources and taxpayers for his party gatherings and rallies which are aimed at spreading anarchy and chaos.”
Referring to the alleged leaked audio clip, Maryam said Imran begged PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari to save his government ahead of the no-trust motion.
“Revolution does not land with parachute…Revolution does not come by taking U-turns…”
She also termed Imran’s narrative of foreign conspiracy fake, saying like his mandate his claims are based on lies.
In her concluding remarks, Maryam asked the crowd: “Will you support Shehbaz Sharif for taking tough decisions to fix the country destroyed by Imran Khan…”