BAHAWALPUR - Former prime minister Gilani criticised the Punjab government's policies, saying that ideology, not distribution of yellow cabs, laptops and Sasti Roti could bring revolution.
He condoled the death of Syed Owais Gardezi at the latter's residence in Bahawalpur. Talking to the media, he claimed that the Supreme Court of Pakistan had accepted his version about the immunity of president of Pakistan because this is mentioned in the letter which had been written to the Swiss authorities. Gilani said that his "sacrifice" had saved the national institutions. There was no chance of a conflict between the judiciary and the government as they had chosen the middle way to resolve the issue.
He criticised Nawaz Sharif and said that the latter's government made only one amendment in the Constitution having two-third majority but the PPP-led government had made 104 amendments in the Constitution without having a simple majority.
"A revolution could be brought through ideology. How someone who is running a government through a forward block can bring revolution. By giving laptops, yellow cabs and Sasti Roti to the nation, the PML-N leadership cannot bring revolution. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto brought a revolution in the country because he was a man of ideology. The yellow cab, Sasti Roti Schemes had been flopped but there is no one to ask the PML-N leadership about the schemes," Gilani said.
He said that the nation should demand explanation from Nawaz Sharif about the money collected under the 'Qarz Utaro, Mulk Sanwaro Scheme'. He said that the nation deposited huge money in the scheme. He further said that Nawaz came to power with the support of the business community but his decision to freeze foreign accounts disappointed them and weakened the national economy.
To a question about restoration of Bahawalpur province, he said that Bahawalpur and Southern Punjab were deprived and neglected regions.
"Bahawalpur is my native town. How can I oppose it? We made a commission for reviewing the matters of the Southern Punjab and Bahawalpur province. You can make a comparison between the development work carried out by the Punjab government. Development schemes worth Rs50 billion were announced for Southern Punjab but only Rs5 or Rs10 billion was released for the region," he added.
He noted that his party-led government restored the Constitution in its original shape and implemented the lion's share of Benazir Bhutto's vision. He said that democracy was always better than dictatorship. He also said that elections would be held on time and a caretaker government would be established after the completion of five-year tenure.