QUETTA
Former prime minister and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that the devastation caused by the PTI government was not hidden from anybody.
Addressing a press conference in Quetta with former senator and member Balochistan National Party (BNP) Mengal Group Nawabzada Haji Lashkari Khan Raisani standing alongside him, Shehbaz Sharif claimed that the PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif would become the country’s prime minister for the fourth time courtesy votes of the people of Pakistan.
At the same time, however, the PML-N president said that his party would feel no hesitation in accepting somebody else as the country’s prime minister if the people voted for him. “Together, we have to make Balochistan prosperous,” Shehbaz said.
He dispelled the impression that he had strained relations with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. However, he made it clear that mudslinging was of no use. “I hope that politicians will learn lessons from the past,” PML-N president said.
Former prime minister said that Ukraine-Russia war was the biggest reason for inflation during his 16-month stay at the PM Office. “We saved the country from getting bankrupt, which ultimately dented our politics,” he opined.
On the occasion, Shehbaz Sharif invited Lashkari to join the PML-N. The BNP leader said that he would take the decision in a few days after consultations. “We have decided in principle that we will become part of the political process,” he said.
Earlier, Shehbaz Sharif met with former Balochistan chief minister Nawab Muhammad Aslam Khan Raisani. Nawabzada Haji Lashkari Khan Raisani, former National Assembly speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and other leaders were also present on the occasion.
Overall political situation in the country, particularly the upcoming general elections, came under discussion at the meeting. Raisani welcomed Shehbaz and expressed his good wishes for him.
Speaking on the occasion, Shehbaz said that the PML-N wanted to work in collaboration with other political parties for the development of Balochistan since the province’s progress was the basis of Pakistan’s progress. He was of the view that unity and cooperation was need of the hour if the country was to pull out of crisis.
Both leaders exchanged views over collaborating with each other in the future as well. They agreed that they would stay in touch with each other.
On Tuesday, about two dozen prominent Baloch politicians had joined the PML-N after meeting Sharif brothers in Quetta. The PML-N Quaid also held talks with leaders of several political parties at a local hotel.
These Baloch leaders included former minister Sardar Fateh Mohammad, Mujeebur Rehman Mohammad Hasni, Mir Saleem Ahmed Khosa, Mir Faiq Ali Jamali, and ex-senator Saeedul Hassan. They all belonged to the PPP.
Former Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) members Mir Asim Kurd, former chief minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani, Mir Dostain Khan Domki, Ghafoor Lehri, Mohammad Khan Lehri, Shoaib Nusherwani, Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran, Sardar Masood Khan Luni, Mohammad Khan Toor Utmankhel, Noor Mohammad Dummar, Agha Faisal Ahmedzai, and Dr Rubaba Buledi also joined the PML-N.
Former minister Mir Khan Mohammad Jamali, Mir Omer Khan Jamali, and Sardar Atif Sanjrani, who hailed from the PTI, also entered the folds of the PML-N. Senator Dr Ashok Kumar of the National Party and Meena Zeenat Shahwani of the BNP-Mengal also parted ways with their parties to join hands with Nawaz Sharif.
Similarly, Sardar Niamatullah, Engineer Basant Lal Gulshan, Raamen Mohammad Hasni, Sardar Ali Haider Mohammad Hasni, Mir Attaullah Buledi, Sardarzada Idrees Taj, Haji Noorullah Lehri, Sher Gul Khilji, Mir Anwar Shahwani, Jaffar Karim Bhangar, Haji Barkat Ali Rind, Malik Shehryar, and Shoukat Bangulzai also entered the PML-N camp.
The parties which called on Sharif brothers included the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Balochistan National Party-Mengal, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), and the National Party.
