Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said that all provinces of the country must be respected and stressed that everyone has to work together for promotion of democracy in the country.
His remarks came as he addressed the media in Karachi alongside Balochistan National Party-Mengal chief Akhtar Mengal, whom he met to offer condolences on the death of his father, Sardar Ataullah Mengal.
He was also expected to chair a meeting of party members during his visit.
The PML-N president further stated that all stakeholders would have to move forward collectively for democracy to progress.
Talking to the media alongside BNP-M chief, Shehbaz said: “We need to respect all provinces and deliver their resources to the locals and we need to work together to promote the democratic system.”
He mentioned problems faced by the people of Balochistan, saying: “Look at its deprivation […] the water and electricity issue there. I won’t make many political statements but I will only say that if we want to adapt Quaid-i-Azam’s dream then we will have to take all provinces [forward] together economically, socially, legally and politically.”
Shehbaz also paid tribute to the deceased veteran politician and BNP founder Sardar Ataullah, mentioning his “services for democracy and struggle for rule of law and the Constitution”.
The PML-N president also pointed out the late BNP leader’s role in convincing Baloch politicians to lend their support in abolishing Article 58-2B of the Constitution that had been used to dissolve many democratic governments.
Shehbaz said he had a “brotherly relation” with Sardar Akhtar Mengal and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif also greatly respected him.
The BNP-M chief thanked the PML-N president and party followers for visiting and extending their condolences over the death of his father and sharing the family’s grief.
Sardar Ataullah Mengal passed away in Karachi on September 2. He had been ill for a long time and was admitted to a private hospital in Karachi, according to the BNP. He was 92.
Earlier, Shehbaz Sharif visited Karachi in August when he attended the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s public gathering. He also visited the residences of former president Mamnoon Hussian and Pakistan Muslim League Functional President Pir Pagara to extend his condolences.
On September 18, the opposition leader addressed a workers’ convention in Sialkot, demanding of the national institutions, judiciary and Election Commission of Pakistan to ensure implementation of the constitution and rule of law in the country.
