Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has asked his political opponents to come forward with allegations against him and prime minister-designate Shaukat Aziz and file them before the returning officers so that the false propaganda being launched by them is appropriately beaten back.
He was speaking at a reception given by Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim in his honour and in honour of federal finance minister and prime minister-designate Shaukat Aziz at Baradari on Tuesday night.
Besides the prime minister and the finance minister Acting President Mohammedmian Soomro, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, federal ministers, provincial ministers, MNAs, MPAs, senators, members of the diplomatic corps, leading Muslim Leaguers, heads of financial institutions, members of the business community and representatives of various NGOs in Karachi were present on the occasion.
He said he was fed up with false propaganda of the nastiest nature launched against him and Shaukat Aziz. "Let them come forward and file their allegations before the returning officer Mithi so that it could be examined properly and responded appropriately."
He addressed the opposition and said that false propaganda should now come to an end and frustration to find out a consensus candidate to face Shaukat Aziz should now be soothed in some other manner.
The prime minister said that President General Pervez Musharraf reposed confidence in him and he did not disappoint him. "We will continue to take guidance from him," he said, adding that Pakistan must progress.
He said he was not against the press freedom but it should be responsible and all that a newspaper publishes should be properly substantiated with proofs and arguments. "We are thinking to come up with certain laws to check false propaganda that has become common in Pakistani media."
He said that he would go to Mithi on Wednesday along with his cabinet colleagues and Shaukat to file Shaukat Aziz's nomination papers from the Tharparkar NA 299. "We hope that he wins with thumping majority."
The prime minister said that his priority was to launch a programme that could help people in overcoming sense of deprivation.
He said that the sense of deprivation has affected "our people" who now need support.
He said he would target the sense of deprivation of the people of Thar and ensure progress in that far-flung rural area of Sindh. "We will bring prosperity to this region."
Shaukat Aziz in his brief speech said that the economic reform agenda launched by the government of General Pervez Musharraf is continuing and it will keep on moving with full force till Pakistan become a strong and progressive country.
He said that the overall improvement in the national economy was only due to continuity of the reform agenda. "Moving with the same speed and in the same direction we would be able to lay foundation for a progressive national economy."
He said that his entire emphasis would be in making Pakistan economically strong and independent in all respects. "It is on the right path of economic prosperity. It now needs strengthening and consolidation of gains."
Shaukat said that peace in Karachi was vital for the overall economic progress of Pakistan. "A disturbed Karachi brings gloom and a peaceful Karachi brings happiness. We would make Karachi peaceful place to live."
He said that the country was bestowed with bounty of nature. "If we begin to work hard and dedicate our energy and resources there is no reason why we do not progress."
The future prime minister said, "We will together make Pakistan a progressive country."
The Sindh chief minister while welcoming the guests said that on Wednesday they would go to Mithi and file nomination papers of Shaukat Aziz.
He said that the election results would show our strength in Thar.
He said that the elections would be fair and free from all pressures.
The opposition should not fear and should not label charges against the government of rigging in the elections even before the whole process had begun.
He said that the opposition has failed to find a consensus candidates. "The opposition should not grudge our success in this hour of their failure," he said, adding that whatever may be the circumstances, elections would be fair.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad said that he would expect the prime minister-designate Shaukat Aziz to give Sindh its due share in all respects.
He congratulated him on his nomination as a consensus candidate of the coalition partners in national politics.
Shaukat had already filed his nomination papers for NA 59 Attock on Tuesday. He will reach Mithi on Wednesday to file his papers from NA 299 Thar.