LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has chided Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan for what he says using abusing language against political rivals in his speeches to Azadi March participants.

In a statement here on Friday, Sharif said the politicians who believed in rightfulness of their stance would not use abusive language.

“I wish that Imran Khan had not made indecent and uncivilized remarks before the TV channels in the long march.”

He admitted that he had used harsh and strong words against his political opponents (then president Asif Zardari) during election campaign but said the words he selected were ‘civilised’ and not ‘vulgar’ like the ones being used by the PTI chief.

He hoped that Imran Khan would show moral courage and withdraw these comments.

He said the government was making sincere efforts to resolve the issues and meaningful negotiations and dialogue was required for this purpose and the nation knew who was rejecting talks at this stage.

He said the government would continue to display patience and restraint in future as well.

Talking to MPs, Sharif said ‘unconstitutional’ demands would lead Imran Khan to political suicide.

He lamented that the PTI chief did not prove himself to be a good sportsman either.

He said those threatening to dissolve assemblies were not in a position to talk about the constitution and democracy.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the government quoted Poultry Traders Association President Tariq Javed as saying a committee formed by the Lahore Poultry Traders Association and Tollinton Market Traders Association fixed the rates of chicken meat and eggs in the provincial metropolis on a daily basis keeping in view the supply and demand.

Neither any political nor government member is included in the committee, he was stated as telling a meeting chaired by CM’s special assistant on livestock Chaudhry Arshad Jutt here on Friday.

The clarification comes in the wake of PAT chief Tahirul Qadri’s allegation that prices of poultry products are fixed by Hamza Shahbaz.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2014