Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira. – File Photo by APP

LAHORE: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira said Friday that political approach of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was different from that of his brother—PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif.

Speaking in “meet the press” programme of Lahore Press Club, he said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Nawaz Sharif’s policies could bring about a positive change in politics and can be proved helpful in stabilising the country.

“However, his brother Shahbaz Sharif is following the policy of Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan that can only destabilise the state institutions,” he said.

Commenting on the Supreme Court’s judgement in Tehrik-i-Minhajul Quran (TMQ) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri’s petition, Kaira said that it has disappointed overseas Pakistanis, adding that several had telephoned him expressing concerns about the verdict.

He said the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) did not believe in surveys about popularity as people cast their votes on the basis of performance.

The minister said the PPP-led government tried its best to deliver during the past five years.

Recounting achievements of the government, he said thousands of contract workers were regularised, employees’ salaries were doubled besides devolving powers to provinces and restoring 1974 constitution to its original democratic form.

Criticising the Punjab CM for spending huge funds on projects like Sasti Roti (cheap bread), metro bus service and Sasta Ata (cheap flour) scheme, Kaira said he would be hold accountable for his acts.

“The PPP government did not spend all government funds in only one city like the Punjab government but provided equal funds to the provinces,” he added.

The minister said corruption was rampant in Punjab and those trying to deceive public would face public wrath in the next general elections.

About caretaker setup, the information minister said a procedure was laid down in the constitution which would be followed.

“It was insult of democracy to say that the office of president is non-political,” said the minister and questioned how a president could be non-political when he is elected through a political process. “He (president) should be impartial however,” he added.

On wage awards, the minister told the media that a notification regarding constitution of a commission for wage awards for journalists would be issued on Monday.

To a question, he expressed his satisfaction on the dialogue with the PML-Q for joint strategy for next election.

He also supported the dialogue with the Pakistani Taliban and said the PPP believed in talks.

To another question, Kaira said life of every Pakistani soldier was precious and the country will lodge protest at all fore on killing of its soldier by the Indian forces.