Nawaz questions K-P governance record

Hitting out at PTI's K-P government, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif has asked if people are living comfortably in the province where "a party has been in power for the past 15 years". "Is the common man there able to breathe a sigh of relief? Do people have access to free education, quality hospitals, free medicines, and proper transport facilities? These questions should be put to the provincial government. "I am not criticizing for the sake of criticism; these are valid questions that must be asked of the provincial government," he added. The former prime minister was addressing a meeting of the Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Parliamentary Board held in Murree on Tuesday. The meeting was also attended by PM Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, and other party leaders. Nawaz said special attention is being given to the development of G-B, adding that the PML-N has served the people of the region. He said a road project worth Rs7 billion has reduced distances within the G-B. "This region is as dear to me as Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and the K-P," he added. He said elected representatives of the PML-N in the G-B have been chosen to serve the people, not to rule over them. "Shehbaz Sharif shares the same passion as I do. If you call upon him, he will get the work done, and he will also address any shortfall in funds," he said. Nawaz acknowledged that the current situation is challenging, noting that both the federal and provincial governments have contributed billions of rupees to cushion the impact of rising oil prices. "These were development funds that had to be diverted towards oil subsidies, but whatever we can provide, we will. I will personally secure funds from Shehbaz Sharif and provide them to you—I will be your first advocate," he said. A day earlier, the PML-N leadership including party chief Nawaz and PM Shehbaz met in Islamabad at Punjab House to finalise party tickets for the upcoming G-B elections.