PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif. — Photo by AFP

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Nawaz Sharif has said incumbent rulers have left the country in a very poor condition and governing it will not be a bed of roses for the next elected government.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Youth Internship Programme at the Punjab Hockey Stadium on Monday, he said that prevalent poverty was the result of wrong policies of rulers who were leaving only after pushing the country to the brink. There were a host of thorny issues that would have to be tackled by the next government.

He advised the people not to get disheartened. Rather, they should support the PML-N enthusiastically for resolution of their problems.

The former prime minister, whose government was ousted in a military coup by Gen Pervez Musharraf, lamented that those who held the Constitution in abeyance were given a guard of honour instead of being tried for their crimes. Mr Sharif said the slogan of `change’ by Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf should not remain a slogan only. He said the tactics adopted by Mr Khan would not entice the younger generation whom he called the torch-bearers of ‘real change’.

He expressed happiness over “peaceful situation” in Lahore and hoped the people of Karachi and Quetta would also savour the same atmosphere.

The PML-N chief recalled his tenure when there was no unrest in Sindh and Balochistan.