Shahbaz Sharif acts like a dictator

The Express Tribune

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Javed Hashmi took a potshot at Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, calling him a dictator, who never answered questions directed towards him in the Assembly.

Talking to the media in Multan on Tuesday, the former Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader said that parties blaming dictators for the country’s woes, should also view Shahbaz’s behaviour in the same light, whose vision and ideology is akin to that of a dictator, who felt that he was not answerable in the assembly.

“His vision and ideology is completely based on dictatorship and he acts like a dictator as he never answers anyone in the assembly. You can verify this by asking anyone if Shahbaz has ever replied to questions in the assembly.”

Talking about the Punjab Institute of Cardiology contaminated medicines tragedy in Punjab, Hashmi said that Shahbaz should be held responsible and then the Punjab government, adding that if the Punjab Chief Minister denied responsibility then he was as responsible as the Health Minister.

Shahbaz had retained the Health Ministry, despite relinquishing eight out of the 15 ministries, recently.

“Neither has he resigned as chief minister nor as health minister,” Hashmi said.

‘MQM clout and importance cannot be ignored’

Amidst rumours regarding reconciliatory talks between the PTI and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Hashmi spoke about the importance of the MQM as a political force and how their clout, importance could not be ignored.

“The political importance and power of MQM cannot be ignored,” the veteran politician said, adding that negotiations and reconciliation was the beauty of politics.

Hashmi promised that the country would see major breakthroughs in the political scenario of Pakistan, brought about by the PTI.

“Before any political ideology or political party, PTI is first the voice of the people of Pakistan,” the senior leader reiterated.

‘Resolve Kashmir and water issue first’

On relations with India, the veteran politician said that trade and relations with the neighbouring country could only continue if the latter seriously resolved issues, including that of Kashmir and the water dispute.