PM Nawaz flays intention to shut down Pakistan

LONDON: Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday termed the intention to shut down Pakistan as inappropriate, saying he had cautioned earlier that the country would move ahead, leaving the sit-ins behind.

Talking to newsmen here, first there were sit-ins and now there is talk of shutting down Pakistan. “The people of Pakistan did not vote for them to engage in the politics of agitation,” he added.

Without naming the party, the Premier said the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) had voted the party but instead of focusing on the province they appear more interested in speaking for the entire Pakistan. “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s condition is getting worse,” he observed.

The PM said prisons were being stormed in KPK while roads and education system of the province were in bad shape.

He regretted that political neophytes were engaged in the practice of sowing the seeds of hatred, adding, a deplorable game was being played with Pakistan.

Nawaz Sharif said the government has never shut the door on negotiations, adding he had visited PTI chief Imran Khan’s residence in good faith and stressed upon serving the country together.

Mr. PM said the government was ready to resume dialogue with the PTI but the exercise should be meaningful.

He said the English PM David Cameron himself telephoned and invited him to attend a Conference on Afghanistan.

Talking about Afghan president Ashraf Ghani’s visit to Pakistan, the PM said some good decisions were taken in the meeting and they would be implemented.