ISLAMABAD, July 29: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif criticised the main opposition PPP on Monday for boycotting the presidential election and said the party which was ruling the country till the other day had set a bad precedent and its leaders would surely regret in the years to come for having taken the decision.

“Throughout the PPP’s tenure, we supported the government and in the process was branded friendly opposition by our critics. Now look at them, what they are doing with us, creating an issue out of non-issue,” a PML-N lawmaker quoted Mr Sharif as saying at a meeting of the party’s parliamentary committee held at the Parliament House.

He said the PPP had taken this decision on ‘flimsy grounds and without the controversy triggered by it the country would have witnessed for the first time a truly smooth and trouble-free democratic transition.

He praised the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf for its decision to participate in the election and fill the vacuum created by the withdrawal of nomination papers by PPP candidate Senator Raza Rabbani.

The May 11 elections were held on time despite the fact that the security situation was extremely bad at that time. No political party had boycotted the general elections, he said, adding that the PPP had no ‘genuine reason’ to boycott the presidential election.

All parties should uphold and take democratic principles forward. “We have left behind the politics of the late 1980s and 90s which was largely based on vendetta,” an official handout quoted the prime minister as saying.

With tomorrow’s election, a new president will be stepping into the shoes of his predecessor and this should have been taken in the right spirit by opposition parties.

“Democratic era has arrived and we have to move on this path steadfastly and with the courage by upholding the sanctity of the ballot box,” Mr Sharif said.

He said PML-N nominee Mamnoon Hussein was a man of integrity and commitment and was fully capable of holding the office of the president.

His election will add to respect and dignity of the party, its allies and the nation. The prime minister expressed the hope that after his election Mr Hussein would meet the nation’s expectations.

Mr Sharif directed his party’s legislators to reach the assemblies on time to cast their vote.

Addressing the meeting, Mr Hussein said the office of the president was the symbol of federation. He pledged to serve the country and its people.

Prime Minister Sharif also briefed the meeting on his recent visit to China and said implementation of the agreements signed by the two countries would turn out to be a game-changer for Pakistan and the region.

He underlined the importance of improving the security situation in the country and said the economic growth and improved law and order went hand in hand. Good security situation boosts economy, attracts foreign investment and promotes development.

Water and Power Minister Khawaja Asif briefed the meeting on the energy situation and outlined broad contours of the national energy policy.