Chaudhry Pervez Elahi —APP/File photo

MULTAN Former Chief Minister Punjab and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) President Chaudhry Pervez Elahi said on Monday that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) should concentrate on the real issues of the masses rather than indulging in pseudo fights.

Addressing a public gathering in Mianwali, Elahi said that instead of providing protection to interests of other countries, the government should concentrate on protecting national interests and providing safety to its citizens.

He said that national dignity demands that the government should refuse to accept the annual aid of $1.5 billion announced by the US as the aid was being offered Pakistan 'in return for killing its own citizens.'

Criticising former Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif, he declared him the enemy of the people of southern Punjab.

He claimed that he had allocated 11 per cent extra funds for the development of the southern Punjab that stood at Rs117 billions that ended the years' long chronic issues of southern Punjab.

He alleged that Shahbaz Sharif attempted to close the way education for poor girls by halting the educational stipends meant for the poor girls of southern Punjab.

He blamed the former chief minister for dropping the budget of patrolling posts that led a significant increase in the kidnapping for ransom incidents which were registered 18 in only District Rahim Yar Khan during some period.

Elahi claimed his party will be in power once again and will allocate special quota in jobs for southern Punjab which will be provided at the cities of southern Punjab instead of Lahore.

Former provincial minister Chaudhry Ejaz Shafi demanded the establishment of Seraiki province comprising the districts of Seraiki belts so that the problems of the masses could be resolved.

Former State Minister for Foreign Affairs Makhdoom Khushro Bukhtar said that the movement led by Chaudhry Pervez Elahi for the rights of Seraikies has been launched.