Serving the people is my mission, says Shehbaz Sharif

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday that if guiding the country towards progress and saving billions is a crime, he will gladly serve any punishment and serving the people is his mission.

Speaking at a conference, the chief minister further said that while opponents may try and create havoc in the country, he will continue serving the people of Punjab.

“The people will not support those hindering the country’s progress and the people will hold them accountable,” said the chief minister.

Earlier, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif hit out at his political opponents on, saying no one will accept accountability led by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Addressing a public gathering after the inauguration of the Lowari Tunnel, the premier said, “I want to tell the JIT, PTI and other politicians that no one will accept accountability from you. This is not accountability but exploitation. I can guarantee no one in Pakistan will accept this.”

The premier also hit out at the JIT members, saying they act "as if they are 'Sadiq' and 'Amin' like angels."

"There is no taint of corruption on us. This drama should stop. Do not test my patience anymore," Sharif warned.

The circus of sit-ins was started as soon as we came to power, said the premier, referring to the 2014 dharna [sit-in] by the PTI and Pakistan Awami Tehreek outside Parliament. "They attacked the PTV building, PM House and Parliament. But we didn’t bow down in front of those fomenting unrest and chaos and will never do."

"They wake up every morning and beg for my resignation. They should be ashamed of themselves," he said.