RAMZAN CHANDIO
KARACHI – All Pakistan Muslim League president Pervez Musharraf has claimed that the country was progressing during his government, but the last government could not address the issue of inflation, leaving the masses with no other option but to face bunch of crises.
He said this while addressing a news conference here Sunday. On the occasion, Balochistan’s prominent politician Abdul Haq Mengal announced to join the APML.
Musharraf claimed that he did a lot for the development of Balochistan. He outlined the significance of Gwadar Port due to its strategic importance, saying he had initiated major uplift schemes in Balochistan.
He said that he would fight legal battle, claiming that allegations of his involvement in the incidents of Benazir Bhutto, Akbar Bugti and Lal Masjid are baseless. The former president said that he would not leave the country as he is come back to contest elections.
To a question about his failure in attracting any prominent ex-MNA or MPA in his party, the APML chief said that he would prefer to introduce new faces, as 1,100 people of four provincial and national assemblies are roaming from one party to other. He said new people should come forward for change in the country, providing an alternative to the people.
Musharraf defended his government’s decision of backing the US-launched war on terror, saying that despite war on terrorism, the country was progressing during his government. He said the price of sugar was Rs23 per kg, while it reached to Rs100 per kg during the last government.
Besides, Pakistan was one of the eleven countries progressing upward speedily in 2001, but unfortunately the last government could not maintain the flow. On this occasion, Mengal said that he said he has joined the APML as Pervez Musharraf had done a lot for the country.
Meanwhile, Pakistan People’s Party founder member Muhammad Bakhsh Lashari and PML-Q Labour Wing leader Ali Shah called on Musharraf and announced to join his party. Lashari on the occasion said that the APML was the only political party in the country which has the potential to take the country out of crises under the dynamic leadership of Pervez Musharraf.