Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, has said that the nation has rejected NRO as it is against the existence of Pakistan and the worst attempt to hide corruption. He also said recovery of the written off loans is as important as elimination of NRO; time has come to hold accountable those elements who siphoned off looted money abroad.
He was talking to media men after inquiring about the health of patients and distribution of Eidee among them at Gulab Devi Hospital on the second day of Eid-ul-Azha. "The President should honour his promise and abolish the 17th Amendment as a gift to the nation", he added.
According to him, while celebrating Eid we should not forget the poor and destitute as well as those who made sacrifices for the country. Sunnah of Hazrat Ibraham gives us the lesson of patience, tolerance and sacrifice and to act upon the teachings of Islam.
Pakistan is facing serious challenges and the nation is rendering supreme sacrifices in the light of Sunnah Ibrahimi. A large number of innocent people, including children, are losing their lives while the officers and Jawans of armed forced and law enforcement agencies are rewriting history with their blood. Living nations face all challenges with courage and steadfastness and Pakistan would also be steered away from crisis with the force of unity.
He said provision of medical facilities to the poor and destitute persons is the responsibility of the government and various measures are being taken for this purpose. He also said it would be a grave injustice if medicines were not available to patents while those who got billions of rupees written off continued to lead a luxurious life.
"Besides accountability of corrupt elements without any discrimination, it is equally important that well-to-do segments of the society should come forward to share their joys with the unprivileged and less-fortunate otherwise it would be unfair to the society. Educational and medical facilities are the right of every child and citizen and all members of the society have an equal right over national resources," he added.
In reply to a question about NRO, the Chief Minister said during his period of exile, he had filed a petition against NRO but as he did not accept PCO judges, therefore he did not approach PCO courts about his case and withdrew the petition against NRO.